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Up-Close Seminar: Illuminated Manuscripts in the Islamic Lands

Unidentified artist, Iskandar Meets the Angel Israfil and Khizr Finds the Water of Life, Iran, Shiraz, Safavid period, 1575–90. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection o

Seminar

Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA

Please note that this event is at capacity.

This seminar, led by Ayşin Yoltar-Yıldırım, assistant curator for Islamic and Later Indian Art, will explore the rich tradition of illuminated manuscripts in Arabic script. She will trace its development with key examples produced over a span of a thousand years, from North Africa to India, from the earliest Qur’ans on parchment to lavishly illustrated literary texts on paper. Emphasis will be given to how different aspects of decoration—namely, calligraphy, illumination, illustration, and binding—come together to create a luxury manuscript.

Up-Close Seminars provide unique opportunities to explore original works of art in an intimate setting. Led by a variety of speakers, these seminars address a wide range of objects in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums that are not currently on view in the galleries.

The event will be held in the Art Study Center, Level 4.

Free with museums admission, but capacity is limited and registration is recommended. To register, please call 617-495-1440.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the program to allow sufficient time to purchase admission to the museums and to sign in at the Art Study Center reception desk. Please be prepared to present a photo ID.

Lockers are available on the Lower Level, Level 1, and Level 4 to check bags, coats, umbrellas, and any food or drink.
Please arrive promptly. At 11am your space may be assigned to someone on the wait list.