RARE comprehensive catalog of an exhibition held at at the Yapı Kredi Kazım Taşkent Art Gallery from 11 September to 20 October 2004 of The Siyah Qalam, which comprise around 80 extant late 14th and early 15th century miniature folios and ink drawings, paintings and calligraphies, on various material, often silk, held at Topkapi Saray Library. Generally attributed to several hands, probably Iranian, they are sometimes attributed to Muhammad Siyah Qalam (equivalent in English to the Master of the Black Pen). Nothing is known of his life, but his work indicates that he was of Central Asian (presumably Turkish) origin, and thoroughly familiar with camp and military life. The paintings appear in the "Conqueror`s Albums," so named because two portraits of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror are present in one of them. 290x230mm. 304 pages. Softcover. Cover corners and spine bottom edge slightly bumped. Spine upper edge slightly peeling. This extremely rare catalog of highly refined and unusual works by an anonymous Central Asian artist who had a major influence on later Turkish painting is in good condition.