Mesrop of Khizan

Mesrop of Khizan (c. 1560 – c. 1652) was a prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator in Persia. Mesrop was born in the Ottoman Empire but eventually lived in Isfahan, Persia, where he contributed in the making of manuscripts for bibles and gospels for four decades. He was also a scribe, clerk, teacher, doctor of theology, restorer and binder. His manuscripts have been displayed in museums throughout the world and are found in many prestigious libraries.

Life Mesrop of Khizan was born to Armenian parents in circa 1560 and is believed to be from the region of Khizan (now known as Hizan) near Lake Van located in the Ottoman Empire. The Armenians of Khizan were noted for illuminated manuscript making and would later be regarded as the Khizan School of art. After Abbas I of Persia defeated the Ottoman Empire around Lake Van, he forcibly relocated many Armenians of the region to his new capital of Isfahan in 1604. After the family had moved, Mesrop's father Martiros, who was a painter himself, continued to teach his son how to paint in the early stages of his life. Mesrop of Khizan's career spans four decades, with his last known artwork dated in 1651.

Works Among the first works of Mesrop is the Gospel of 1608. The first manuscript was done for a priest named Khatchatur and received many sponsors from various wealthy Armenians. John is surrounded by yellow light and elongated figures. About thirty manuscripts done by Mesrob of Khizan survive today.

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