An Illuminative Study of the Paintings of the Tahmasbi and Baysonqori Manuscripts

The artists of the Timurid era were fascinated with the illumination of literary books and this enhanced the art of book illumination in the mentioned era. The principals which are eminent today in the realm of illumination did not exist at that time; however، the artist was unconsciously engaged with these principals and elements. One of the outstanding masterpieces of this era is the Baysonqori Shahnameh. This artwork had a great influence on the art of Persia in which many of the forthcoming Shahnamas including the Tahmasbi Shahnameh were greatly influenced. The various features that are significant in the structure of illumination including the division of lines، the influence of decorative motifs and patterns، and the space for text and writing are chief characteristics for analyzing the manuscripts of this study which include “Monzar learns chess for Anushirvan” for Baysonqori Shahnameh، and “Keykhosor commands the call of Tous” from the Tahmasbi Shahnameh are analyzed from a comparison and comparative method. Despite the many similarities between the two manuscripts (the division of lines، three column layout، the use of symmetry and patterns)، differences include the methods applied for diminishing absolute symmetry in each page which is significantly different in each manuscript. Furthermore، in the Baysonqori Shahanmeh، the pages are less crowdy and elements have been applied modestly; however، in the paintings of the Tahmasbi Shahnameh، the artist has abundantly used patterns and various elements. Aims of the research: 1-Understanding the features that efficient in the structure of book illumination. 2-Considering the division of lines، three column layouts، the use of symmetry and patterns in the illuminations. Research questions: 1-What is the place of book illumination in the two manuscripts of Shahnameh Baysonqori and Shahnamheh Tahmasbi? 2-According to the principals of book illumination، are the two manuscripts similar to each other?