Miniature-Style Paintings in the Kubbe-i Hadra Section of the Mevlana Museum

Abstract

The miniature paintings examined in this study were discovered during restoration work at the Mevlana Museum in Konya. These miniatures, which contain pictorial elements, reflect the characteristic features of the period in which they were created, as shown by the results of the study. The miniatures discovered during the restoration process depict elements such as castle walls, roads, hills, cypress trees, and spring branches in a clear composition. This study used a literature review method, drawing on both electronic and printed sources. The miniatures were evaluated from various perspectives, including aesthetic appearance, the arrangement of elements in the composition, movement, and density. The results of the study contribute to the limited literature on wall painting using miniature techniques, highlighting the use of miniatures on non-traditional surfaces beyond traditional production methods. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the stylistic continuity and transformation of miniature art as it evolved from its use in manuscripts to architectural surfaces. By analyzing these rare examples, the study highlights the interdisciplinary nature of miniature compositions, connecting art history, architecture, and cultural studies. The discovered works provide valuable insight into Ottoman visual culture, pointing to conscious choices of iconography and symbolic representations that resonate with both religious and secular themes.