Page 99 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

widely applied, becoming a distinct characteristic of the croscopic details, displaying remarkable virtuosity. 94 Produced
period. 92 until the end of the sixteenth century, their execution varies:
The development of this style of decoration is observed in some are extremely dynamic and original in composition,
the drawings incorporated into several sixteenth-century al- others are more stylized and derivative.
bums. 93 They reveal similar technique, employing bold black One of the mid-sixteenth-century albums combines sam-
calligraphic brushstrokes to define the major elements, soft ples of calligraphy and paintings with saz style drawings, and
delicate lines to render the details, and washes to produce includes a representation of a bunch of leaves drawn on gold-
volume and texture; select areas are highlighted with gold or speckled paper and enhanced by touches of gold (45a). The
silver and tinted with pastel colors. Many contain almost mi- leaves spring from the lower left, sweep across the sheet,

98