°ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ

A close look at this print from Coste’s enormous book, 'Monuments modernes de la Perse', reveals the vivid colours and details of the Shah Mosque. The mosque forms part of a series of buildings in the centre of Isfahan, which together represent some of the finest examples of Persian architecture. Like an ornamental carpet, the blue tiles covering the exterior surfaces feature an abundant range of floral and geometric patterns.

In total, this book has 71 prints of buildings from across Iran, investigated through plans, elevations, sections and topographical views. Handwritten in our copy is a note saying it was presented by the author.

Image: Print of the Shah Mosque/Masjid-i Saha (now Imam Mosque/Masjid-i-Imam), Isfahan, Iran, from 1867; image from °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõpix (number °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ16035)
Artist: Pascal-Xavier Coste
Credit: °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ Collections

Article by Wilson Yau, °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ
12 March 2015

Discover more

This is just one of over four million items in our world-class architectural collections at the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ Library – it's open to everyone and access is free. Visit the library to explore our collections of books, periodicals, drawings, photographs and models:

1. Book
   Coste, P., 1867.
   'Monuments modernes de la Perse'
   Paris: Morel
   Shelved at 72.033.3(55) // COS [Large SR]
2. Book
   Babaie, S., 2008.
   'Isfahan and its palaces: statecraft, Shi'ism and the architecture of conviviality in early modern Iran'
   Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press
   Shelved at 72.03(55I) // BAB [Reference]
3. Book
   Arab, G., 2000.
   'Isfahan'
   Tehran: Yassavoli
   Shelved at 72.03(55I) // ARA [Reference]