Tezhip (Illumination) Art

Derived from the Arabic word for gold, the art of illumination has been practiced as a book art in many Muslim cultures of the world since the beginning of the Islamic era in the eighth century. Turkish illumination is still used in handmade book production but also with calligraphy as an art form in pieces rendered to be framed and hung. Illuminators use tiny brushes to create a wide variety of motifs from crushed gold and gouache paint.