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Hidden within the pages of scientific, historical, or poetic texts, intricately designed images have formed an integral part of Persian manuscripts since at least the thirteenth century. They illustrate particular moments in the narrative and enhance the overall visual beauty of a work.
In the latter part of the fifteenth century, the relationship between word and image became increasingly relaxed. Manuscript paintings began to occupy entire pages, while the text was relegated to small panels or eliminated altogether. This new aesthetic led in part to the development of paintings and drawings outside the context of the book.
The genre reached its zenith in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries during the rule of the powerful Safavid dynasty of Iran (1501–1722).
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The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art Exhibition List | Online Exhibitions All presented material is copyright © Smithsonian Institution, 2008 except where otherwise noted. |
