| This dissertation surveys all known illustrated manuscripts from their first appearance in the Ottoman realm to the end of Selim I's reign and compares them with non-illustrated Ottoman luxury manuscripts of the same period. This period, 1413--1520, also precedes the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent when the number of illustrated manuscripts increases dramatically. I divided the period of 1413--1520 along the lines of the reigns of the Ottoman sultans. I examined each manuscript as a book rather than focusing only on their illustrations. I studied a total of twenty-six illustrated manuscripts in terms of their size, calligraphy, binding, illumination and illustration as well as their textual content, patron, artist, date and place of production. All the illustrations are analyzed in relation to their text as well as in terms of their style and iconography. After establishing patterns in the overall appearance and production of illustrated manuscripts I also compared them to those of the non-illustrated luxury manuscripts of the same period. A comparison of these groups allows us to gain a more detailed view of luxury book production in the Ottoman realm, especially under the patronage of the Ottoman court. |
