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Parthian Empire
Art in the Parthian Empire combined elements of Greek and Iranian art with Achaemenid and Seleucid traditions. They used a technique called 'frontality' meaning that the person in their art would face the viewer instead of looking to the side, even on their coins. Many of the murals created in the Parthian Empire used frontality, including a wall mural showing a scene from the Book of Esther. The Parthians used frontality in practically every painting. -
Jan 1, 641
Sassanid empire
During the Sassanid Empire, a new tradition in Persian painting began. When a Sassanian king died, the best painter of that time was called upon the make a portrait of the deceased king to be hung in the royal treasury. Sassanian painting, pottery, and sculpture shared designs with the textile arts such as silks, embroideries, tapestries, and rugs. -
Jan 1, 1501
Cultural Diffusion
The biggest type of Persian paintings were miniature paintings, small paintings on paper became a significant part of Persian art in the 13th century, being influenced by the Chinese after the Mongol conquests. The Persian miniature had its own influence on other Islamic miniature traditions, like the miniatures in Turkey, and miniatures in parts of India. -
Safavid Empire
Early Safavid paintings combined the traditions of Timurid Herat and Turkoman Tabriz. This resulted in great craftsmanship and emotional expressiveness. To many people, this was the finest hour in Persian painting. Paintings would cover entire walls, depicting battle scenes to landscapes. Two main factors influenced artists during the Safavid empire; the works of Riza, and European Art. Riza would accompany the outline of basic shapes with pleats and folds. -
Safavid Empire (cont.)
During this period, the art of painting, metalwork, textiles and carpets became perfected. Lots of the early art celebrated the glories of the earlier Iranian kingdom.The Safavids became involved with the growth of art.Because the Safavid empire stretched through the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, and it's trade routes to Europe, Africa and Asia, Iran became a center for art. -
Qajar Dynasty
Qajar painting has a strong European influence. European art was focusing on realism. Heavy application of paint and dark, rich, full colors are elements of Qajar painting that are directly influenced by the European style. During the Qajar dynasty, realism was depicted in still lifes: paintings of objects. Qajar portraits were idealized. The subjects of the paintings are placed and situated to look pleasing to the eye. There were many royal portraits, as having a portrait showed importance. -
Influence Today
The message a lot of Iranian murals portray today is not a postivite one, and the negativity is directed at the United States.From images like the example, to the Statue of Liberty with a skull for a face to the American Flag boasting bombs and skulls instead of starts and stripes; it would seem that America isn't popular among the Iranina poeple.
Despite the fact that the documentaries we've watched claim that the Iranian people love America, that's not the message their artwork is giving us. -
Arab Conquest of Persia
After the Islamic influence began to spread across Persia, Persia was introduced to Islamic styles and techniques. These were clearly reflected in the ceramics and ornate calligraphy which developed after the Arab conquest. Persia began to start abstract geometrical designs, calligraphy, and floral forms. Art was used mainly for religious architecture, book illustrations, decorating pottery, metalware, etc. Islamic art was influenced by the artistic styles of the conquered regions, i.e. Persia.
