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 RIBApix (number RIBA16035)
Artist: Pascal-Xavier Coste
Credit: RIBA Collections
Article by Wilson Yau, RIBA
12 March 2015
Discover more
This is just one of over four million items in our world-class architectural collections at the RIBA Library – it's open to everyone and access is free. Visit the library to explore our collections of books, periodicals, drawings, photographs and models:
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Book
Coste, P., 1867.
'Monuments modernes de la Perse'
Paris: Morel
Shelved at 72.033.3(55) // COS [Large SR] -
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] -
Book
Arab, G., 2000.
'Isfahan'
Tehran: Yassavoli
Shelved at 72.03(55I) // ARA [Reference]
