Gospel book

Hayrapet · 1655

Armenian Gospel book written in Isfahan in 1655 (year of the Armenians 1104) by Yakob (Hakob). The illumination was the work of Hayrapet and paid for by Khat'un Dsaghik with 10 gold pieces. The manuscript was commissioned for an Armenian man called Ter Grigor, originally from Khoshap (eastern Turkey). At the end of the manuscript, additional notes show the Gospel passing through generations of the same family, and pray for blessings on all of them. A beautiful example of 17th-century manuscript illumination from Isfahan. It is painted in rich, bright colours, with a predominance of blue, red, green, yellow and lilac. The miniaturist Hayrapet, who has painted his own portrait kneeling at the foot of the cross, opposite the owner of the manuscript (f.15v), was one of the leading artists of New Julfa (the Armenian quarter of Isfahan).