Shiraz atelier and the illustrated manuscripts of the shahnama (book of kings) from 1470 to 1500,

The study focuses on the illustrated copies of Shahnameh, one of the most important works of Persian literature that was composed by Firdowsi (d. 411/1020) at the beginning of the 11th century. Among these copies produced in the city of Shiraz between 1470 - 1500, eight copies in the collection of the Library of Topkapı Palace Museum – H. 1515 (1478), H.1489 (1482-83), H.1506 (1486), H. 1507 (1494), R. 1542 (1494), H.1491 (1495), H.1508 (1498), H.1478 (1490) –, and one copy in the collection of Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Ms.or.fol.4255/ 18 June 1489 – are covered within the scope of the dissertation. In this respect, the political situation in Shiraz until the 16th century and the political history of Aqqoyunlu Dynasty (1340 –1514) are scrutinized. An assessment is made on the role of Shiraz as one of the most crucial centres of manuscript production. Thus, the political atmosphere within the above-mentioned dates could be set and the artistic background of the period could be clearly seen. The tradition of illustrating Shahnama is traced to the year 1470, and the illustrated copies produced before the time-span that the dissertaion covers are thoroughly examined. The painting style, the features of the illustration and the characteristics of page design of the nine copies of Shahnama are evaluated. The great part of this evaluation is comprised of the iconographical analysis of the illustrations. As one of the important outcomes, the analogies and parallelism between the copies alongwith the traits of their specificity could be determined. Herewith, an evaluation could be made upon the ateliers of Shiraz in that time period in question.