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1550 CE Persian miniature painting, depicting the Prophet Muhammad ascending on the Burak into the Heavens, a journey known as the Miraj

A Persian miniature is a small painting, whether a book illustration or a separate work of art intended to be kept in an album of such works. The techniques are broadly comparable to the Western and Byzantine traditions of miniatures in illuminated manuscripts. Although there is an equally well-established Persian tradition of wall-painting, the survival rate and state of preservation of miniatures is better, and miniatures are much the best-known form of Persian painting in the West. Miniature painting became a significant Persian form in the 13th century, and the highest point in the tradition was reached in the 15th and 16th centuries. The tradition continued, under some Western influence, after this, and has many modern exponents. The Persian miniature was the dominant influence on other Islamic miniature traditions, principally the Ottoman miniature in Turkey, and the Mughal miniature in the Indian sub-continent.

The themes of Persian miniatures are mostly related to Persian mythology and poetry. Western artists discovered the Persian miniature around the beginning of the 20th century. Persian miniatures uses pure geometry and a vivid palette. The allure of Persian miniature painting lies in its absorbing complexities and in the surprising way it speaks to large questions about the nature of art and the perception of its masterpieces.

[edit] History of Persian miniatures

The origin of the Persian miniature is difficult to trace. The art form reached its peak mainly during the Mongol and Timurid periods (13th-16th century), and was heavily influenced by Chinese paintings as the Mongol rulers of Persia brought with them numerous Chinese artists to the court.^[1]


Persian Arts
Visual Arts
Painting
Miniatures
Decorative Arts
Jewellery
Embroidery	Motifs
Tileworks	Handicrafts
Pottery
Literature
Literature	Mythology
Folklore
Other
Architecture	Cuisine
Carpets	Gardens
Performance Arts
Dance	Music
Cinema

In Ilkhanid and Timurid Mongol-Persian mythological miniatures, the mythical animals buraq and dragon was portrayed in a style reminiscent of the Chinese qilin and Chinese dragon, reflecting the Chinese background of painters who introduced watercolor techniques to Iran and initiated several medieval schools of Persian miniature painting. In fact, many religious paintings, including a famous one portraying the Prophet Muhammad's Miraj from the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem into the heavens, displays stylistic elements of undoubtedly Chinese origins. Islamic angels are depicted as wearing the tight robes of northern Chinese style. Persian miniature paintings of the Ilkhanid and Timurid periods, especially ones related to the Shahnameh stories, usually borrow landscape painting techniques from contemporary Chinese schools, developed during the Song Dynasty and Yuan Dynasty.

[edit] Prominent Persian miniaturists

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād Herawī: Leading miniaturist of the Timurid era, and founder of the Safavid school.
Reza Abbasi: One of the most renowned Persian painters in the Safavid era.
Hossein Behzad: Famous contemporary miniaturist
Mahmoud Farshchian: Famous contemporary miniaturist

[edit] Gallery of paintings

"The construction of fort Khavarnaq" by Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād Herawī, Herat c. 1494-1495, Timurid era.	as in Western illuminated manuscripts, exquisitely decorated borders were an integral part of the work of art. First half of 16th century.	Poetry, wine and gardens are common elements in later works - 1585	Two Lovers by Reza Abbasi, 1630
Miniature of Harun al-Rashid in Thousand and One Nights	Prince Muhammad-Beik of Georgia by Reza Abbasi, 1620	Saki Reza Abbasi, 1609; Moraqqa’-e Golshan, Isfahan, Iran; Golestan Palace	Painting from Hasht-Behesht palace, Isfahan, Iran, from 1669
Safavid era Miniature painting kept at Shah Abbas Hotel in Isfahan.