Artist, scribe, and binder, Mesrop of Xizan (c.1590-1652) was one of the last important representatives of the Armenian school of miniaturists in New Julfa of the first half of the 17th century. Thirty of his manuscripts have survived and are here catalogued together for the first time. The focus of the book, however, is the newly emerged Four Gospels - one of the most extensively illuminated manuscripts known by the celebrated artist. Explanations, prayers, and commentaries have been inscribed by the artist beneath each image, and the long, eight-page colophon, which is of great historical importance, gives an autobiography and a history of the Xizan school of Armenian art by its most pre-eminent representative.

Artist, scribe, and binder, Mesrop of Xizan (c.1590-1652) was one of the last important representatives of the Armenian school of miniaturists in New Julfa of the first half of the 17th century. Thirty of his manuscripts have survived and are here catalogued together for the first time. The focus of the book, however, is the newly emerged Four Gospels - one of the most extensively illuminated manuscripts known by the celebrated artist. Explanations, prayers, and commentaries have been inscribed by the artist beneath each image, and the long, eight-page colophon, which is of great historical importance, gives an autobiography and a history of the Xizan school of Armenian art by its most pre-eminent representative.