Toros Roslin (Թորոս Ռոսլին) (c.1210 – 1270) or (c.1216 – 1288) was the most prominent Armenian miniaturist in the Middle Ages.

Miniature painting of Cilicia, a small Armenian Kingdom that existed on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea from 1080 to 1375, is one of the most exciting phenomena in the history of Armenian art. Talented miniaturists of the scriptorium at Hromkla stand out in the constellation of the 13th-century Cilician painters, Toros Roslin, the fascinating master of the brush, being the most prominent personality among them. The works of Toros Roslin occupy the most significant place in the book painting of the Cilician state and medieval Armenia. His art is dealt with in many books and articles in different languages of the world, and his name is mentioned in various publications concerning the history and culture of Armenia. Illustrative cycles of miniatures are of special interest in the heritage of the splendid master. Full-page illustrations of his codices in many respects predetermined the evolutionary trends in the iconography and style of the Cilician book painting of subsequent decades in the 13th century. Many unknown miniatures of the artist, preserved in the manuscripts in various collections all over the world and published in the last few decades permit marking out illustrative cycles of miniatures and grouping them to study the evolution of the most significant themes in Roslin's creative work. Roslin's and his colleagues' knowledge of the art of the peoples in the Mediterranean states and West European countries influenced the illustrative cycles of these manuscripts. The significance of this problem resides in the fact that the appearance of full-page miniatures in the book painting of Roslin workshop radically changed the system of illustrating in Armenian manuscripts.

Biographies of Medieval and ancient Armenian artists had a tendency to ignore aspects we today would consider important. This and other issues means that little of his life is currently known for certain. It can be said that he worked in the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, because of his patrons. Also that he had children as an adult son is mentioned. This is seen as indicating he was likely a priest as a monk would have no children while a member of the laity would likely not have done Illuminated Bibles as he did. His works show some Byzantine and even Italian influences so some believe he travelled to foreign lands in his 20s. He did a portrait of Leo III of Armenia when that man was a prince sometime around 1256. He also did work for Prince Vasak. Although he is best known for religious works, particularly concerning New Testament themes like the Crucifixion of Christ or The Nativity of Jesus.

• Gallery of illuminated manuscript images

• Armenian Studies, California State University - Toros Roslin
• Armenian Illuminated manuscripts

• Virtual Matenadaran(Cached)