Miniature painting in Ottoman Baghdad

The Baghdad Illustrations in this book, present a kaleidoscopic view of the city: Ottoman militaries and courtiers; religious authorities and various Sufi orders; merchants from many countries; Arab and Tartar nomads; European adventurers; local tradesmen, artisans and servants--all act in a colorful cityscape with mosques, religious schools, private houses of varying styles and ancient Islamic monuments. The didactic tale telling of the Sufis is paralleled in compositions combining remote spaces and periods of time: a storyteller represented together with the heroes of his tale, a biblical prophet with his contemporary believers. The small manuscripts, done for a middle class rather than a royal clientele, thus continue the urban spirit of 13th century Baghdad painting in a new, Ottoman garb