Toros Roslin

Toros Roslin
Թորոս Ռոսլին
Statue of Toros Roslin in front of the entrance of the Matenadaran
Born1210
Died1270 (aged 60)
NationalityArmenian
Known forIlluminated manuscripts
Patron(s)Catholicos Constantine I
Hethum I

Toros Roslin (Armenian: Թորոս Ռոսլին, Armenian pronunciation: [tʰɔɹɔs rɔslin]); c. 1210–1270)[1] was the most prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator in the High Middle Ages.[2] Roslin introduced a wider range of narrative in his iconography based on his knowledge of western European art while continuing the conventions established by his predecessors.[2] Roslin enriched Armenian manuscript painting by introducing new artistic themes such as the Incredulity of Thomas and Passage of the Red Sea.[3] In addition he revived the genre of royal portraits, the first Cilician royal portraits having been found in his manuscripts.[4] His style is characterized by a delicacy of color, classical treatment of figures and their garments, an elegance of line, and an innovative iconography.[5]

The human figures in his illustrations are rendered full of life, representing different emotional states. Roslin's illustrations often occupy the entire surface of the manuscript page and at times only parts of it, in other cases they are incorporated in the texts in harmony with the ensemble of the decoration.[6]

  1. ^ The period between 1210 and 1270 is the estimated lifespan of Roslin according to Professor Levon Chookaszian. See: Chookaszian, Levon. "Toros Roslin: Biography". Armenian Studies Program, California State University. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  2. ^ a b Parry, 399
  3. ^ Chookaszian, Levon. "Toros Roslin: New themes". Armenian Studies Program, California State University. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  4. ^ Chookaszian, Levon. "Toros Roslin: Royal portraits". Armenian Studies Program, California State University. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  5. ^ Kouymjian, Dickran. "Arts of Armenia [Miniatures]". Armenian Studies Program, California State University. Archived from the original on 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  6. ^ Hakopyan, Hravard; Korkhmazian, Emma. "THE SCHOOL OF MINIATURE PAINTING OF THE CILICIAN ARMENIAN KINGDOM". Virtual Matenadaran. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-06.