Written and Pictorial Sources on the Architecture of Persia and Central Asia during the Era of Timur’s and Timurids’ Rule

The article is devoted to the study of most valuable source at culture and architecture Persia Central Asia during reign Timur (late 14th — early 15th centuries) diary Spanish ambassador court Timur. At this stage in development researching on Persian Asian Timurid period, along with problem “analysis” monuments artistic style, “synthesis” image these urgent. authors propose a methodology for restoring general impression architecture, which can serve as basis process “synthesis”, based contemporary written century grandee Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo, who was part embassy, sent by Castilian king Enrice III 1403–1406. Being an educated man receptive new, Clavijo able isolate characteristic features worldview East, primarily oriental despot, associated art East. He his colleagues embassy drew attention cunning, treachery, ingenuity, secrecy eastern rulers. Spaniards were struck luxury, power wealth Timur’s state, that time zenith glory. Spaniards, accustomed stability architectural images their native Spain, amazed variability They love representatives peoples East free draperies, giving themselves will wind, temporary festive women’s clothes, nature well consistent decoration buildings. envoys revealed subservient first faithful fresh impression, tenaciously grasping main difference between state European architecture. This consisted desire create changing, diverse, fluid, mobile, not instantly solved full mystery, but same striking imagination its luxury according understanding masters, customers spectators. conclusion about specifics made ambassador, supported turning analysis pictorial sources created studied itself.