Art
Marziyeh Ghasemi; Sakine Khatoon Mahmooodi
Abstract
Qajar tilework incorporates a wide arena that is inseparable from the architecture of this era. Tile medium has been used in different forms and techniques during the art history of Iran; however, the Qajar era is of greater significance regarding the large number of works produced and the related innovations ...
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Qajar tilework incorporates a wide arena that is inseparable from the architecture of this era. Tile medium has been used in different forms and techniques during the art history of Iran; however, the Qajar era is of greater significance regarding the large number of works produced and the related innovations occurred in this field. The book “Qajar Tilework” is a field study of this art medium dealing with the neglected status of Persian tiles during the relatively long reign of the Qajars in Persian culture and architecture. This book is a unique and pioneering study in terms of presenting various pictures under one categorization, and describing the visual and aesthetic features of Qajar tiles and monuments; yet facing with some deficiencies which have been identified and should be corrected for future publication. Mere consideration of the tiles which are only visible in remained historic buildings and complexes, and consequently ignoring the study of extant samples in the present, available collections and achieves; disregarding the whole field of inscriptions (tiles with calligraphic scripts); conceptual misunderstanding between motif and theme; and not using up-to-date sources, while leaving out some authoritative, original ones are among the major shortcomings and defects of the book.
Art
Marziyeh Ghasemi
Abstract
The history of Persian art is replete with many unique artworks and fine artifacts today reserved inside and outside Iran. Enjoying certain historical and cultural features, such works of art and other traditional handicrafts could be categorized in different groups. Despite large-scale production and ...
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The history of Persian art is replete with many unique artworks and fine artifacts today reserved inside and outside Iran. Enjoying certain historical and cultural features, such works of art and other traditional handicrafts could be categorized in different groups. Despite large-scale production and vast artistic movements, Persian art had not been recorded in an academic, scholarly manner just until the Qajar period. Before this event, the accounts and records left from art of Persia were just limited to artists, not artworks and the related categories. With regard to this shortage, Persian Art would be considered as the first independent research done by a Scot named Sir Robert Murdoch Smith in a period when there was rarely, if any recognition of art and artworks. This book was composed in the Qajar period for the purpose of introducing Persian arts to the South Kensington (now Victoria & Albert) Museum, England. Although some sections and subjects of the book seems quite evident today, or may need revision, it contains some invaluable ideas and information from that time. Furthermore, the book could be regarded as a pioneer in the study of Orientalism which forms the basis of a more extended field, i.e. Islamic art.