The later period

The Blue Mosque, the Ardabil Carpet, and the Taj Mahal all date to this important period.

c. 1517 - 1924 C.E.

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A Qur’an manuscript from coastal East Africa
A Qur’an manuscript from coastal East Africa

A rare example of a style of illuminated Qur’an produced in coastal East Africa on Pate Island.

The Mughal painting tradition: an introduction
The Mughal painting tradition: an introduction

Mughal miniatures combined intellectual erudition with artistic sophistication to create objects of everlasting beauty.

<em>Timur’s entry into Samarkand</em>, page from the <em>Zafarnama</em>
Timur’s entry into Samarkand, page from the Zafarnama

Timur's equestrian image would have been the most recognizable embodiment of his royal legacy in the Zafarnama.

The Ardashirnama: a Judeo-Persian manuscript
The Ardashirnama: a Judeo-Persian manuscript

This illuminated manuscript of the Ardashirnama reveals how 17th-century Iranian Jews visually and poetically emphasized their identities as both Iranian and Jewish.

Shah Jahan’s portrait, emeralds, and the exotic at the Mughal court
Shah Jahan’s portrait, emeralds, and the exotic at the Mughal court

Emeralds symbolized the exotic and the rare—the perfect emblem to encapsulate the wealth and aspirations of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Ottoman prayer carpet with triple-arch design
Ottoman prayer carpet with triple-arch design

This Muslim prayer carpet shares striking visual similarities to a Jewish carpet meant to cover the Torah ark.

Mimar Sinan, Şehzade Mosque, Istanbul
Mimar Sinan, Şehzade Mosque, Istanbul

Sinan, one of the most famous architects in the Ottoman Empire, draws inspiration from the Hagia Sophia and arguably surpasses it

Muradiye Mosque
Muradiye Mosque

The Muradiye Mosque's interior is covered with wall paintings and colorful tiles—like a museum of fifteenth-century Ottoman architectural decoration.

Topkapı Palace tiles
Topkapı Palace tiles

Magnificent blue-and-white tiles adorn this room in the Topkapı Palace, Istanbul.

Humayun’s tomb
Humayun’s tomb

This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.

Exploring Color in Mughal Paintings
Exploring Color in Mughal Paintings

Curious about the vibrant colors in Mughal paintings? Learn about the art of imperial painting here.

Groom and Rider drawing
Groom and Rider drawing

The precision of the line and the attention to texture allow this drawing to stand on its own as a finished work.

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