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Anyone interested in the Tabriz school of miniature art of the 14th century fully realizes its importance in the
formation of the classic style pevalent in the whole Islamic visual art.
Despite the importance of works by the 14th century Azerbaijani artists for the better understanding of the
whole subsequent Islamic painting art, not a single manuscript of that period has been published completely.
Needless to say, publishing and dating the miniatures to the most recognized narratives of that period, such
as
Jami at-Tawarih
(
early 14th century), the monumental
Grand Tabriz Shah-nameh, Kalila & Dimna
and
Miraj-nameh
from the Istanbul collection could be instrumental in further studies of the 14th century Tabriz
miniature art.
Illustrations to
Jami at-Tawarih
poem are among the most important samples pertaining to the formation
period of the Tabriz school of the Azerbaijani miniature. The idea launched by Gazan-khan, the ruler of the
day (Ilhan), was implemented by Rashidaddin, the Chief Vizier. The Mongol, Chinese and Iranian scholars
were involved in the process together with Buddhist monk Kamalashri and a Christian monk.
As far as the Ilhani period is concerned, the most remarkable miniature works were made specifically for this
outstanding poem. According to E. Shreder, a prominent scholar, “this is an invaluable work that provides the
key to understanding the whole period…Its contribution to our knowledge is second to none”.