Persian Miniature Painting: Heavenly Architecture & Iskandar's Horoscope
Astrological charts lay out the heavenly structure of things. We will paint the famous Horoscope of Iskandar, grandson of Tamerlane the Conqueror. The position of the heavens at the time of his birth is recorded in this wondrous 1411 Timurid manuscript painting. The stars align and fate is painted. We will think about how fate and destiny, time and magic intertwine in a painting to form a coalition of the arts and sciences: astronomy, calligraphy, illumination and painting gather to create a marvel of the book arts that is a beautiful record of a life. The starry skies hold everything together and the Zodiac signs are recognisable even today.
The pleasure of concentrating on a single miniature for a period of time involves us deeply. We are immersed in it; we live with it; we live in it. Inhabiting and internalising a painting in this way is a wonderful and traditional way to learn. In today’s fast-paced world we need to sit, focus on and contemplate our single piece and grow to love and understand it. We will understand the subtle art of colour, composition and blending by our action of making and doing, connecting with the work. The aim is not to rush, but to dwell. Thus painting is a form of meditation in itself. Students are invited to recreate this work alongside the tutor, incorporate elements into existing work or be inspired to create their own astrological or heavenly compositions, perhaps even a fictitious (or real) horoscope.
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Astrological charts lay out the heavenly structure of things. We will paint the famous Horoscope of Iskandar, grandson of Tamerlane the Conqueror. The position of the heavens at the time of his birth is recorded in this wondrous 1411 Timurid manuscript painting. The stars align and fate is painted. We will think about how fate and destiny, time and magic intertwine in a painting to form a coalition of the arts and sciences: astronomy, calligraphy, illumination and painting gather to create a marvel of the book arts that is a beautiful record of a life. The starry skies hold everything together and the Zodiac signs are recognisable even today.
The pleasure of concentrating on a single miniature for a period of time involves us deeply. We are immersed in it; we live with it; we live in it. Inhabiting and internalising a painting in this way is a wonderful and traditional way to learn. In today’s fast-paced world we need to sit, focus on and contemplate our single piece and grow to love and understand it. We will understand the subtle art of colour, composition and blending by our action of making and doing, connecting with the work. The aim is not to rush, but to dwell. Thus painting is a form of meditation in itself. Students are invited to recreate this work alongside the tutor, incorporate elements into existing work or be inspired to create their own astrological or heavenly compositions, perhaps even a fictitious (or real) horoscope.
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