Artist: Aya Deniz
The word tezhib derives from the Arabic zeheb (gold) and literally means “to gild.” Its plural form “tezhibat” refers to gilded ornamentation. Today, tezhib describes the Islamic art of illuminating manuscripts. Male practitioners are called müzehhip, female artists müzehhibe.
In the art world the tulip carries many symbols. The words Allah, lale (tulip) and hilal share the same letters—Alif, He and two Lam—and each adds up to 66 in the Abjad calculation. Authors therefore constantly draw connections between the tulip, Allah and the crescent.
You can learn more about the theme “Hiç” (nothingness) in the Hüsn-i Hat piece within this exhibition.