ink making

Evidence

"ink making, pigment development and color production were as vital as other crafts in the Islamic world."

Remarks

The author highlights that Islamic artists considered the study of colors and pigments as a vital part of their artistic creation. Historical manuals and treatises are cited as evidence that ink making and pigment production were sophisticated crafts. Notable texts include the Zirid prince Mu‘izz b. Badis' 'Umdat al-kuttab' (Staff of Scribes, c. 1025), Teflisi’s 'Bayan al-sana’at' (1206), and Muhammad al-Marrakushi’s 'al-Azhar fi ‘amal al-ahbar' (1241) (p. 13). These writings provide detailed recipes for color preparation, mixing, and blending based on practical artistic experience (p. 13). The study aims to bridge the gap between theoretical color meanings found in Sufi and scientific literature and the actual practice of manuscript production (p. 17).