Synopsis
A handbound collector's edition of this beautifully illustrated book which for the first time comprehensively examines the flowering of Persian painting and the visual arts of the Qajar period (1785-1925). It focuses on the growth of a remarkable tradition of life-size figural painting, virtually unseen in the Islamic World. Exquisite historic manuscripts, lacquer works, calligraphies and enamels further illuminate the subject. Quarter-bound in bottle green goatskin and burgundy cloth, with a full-bound burgundy cloth slipcase, this edition is limited to 50 copies. Royal Persian Paintings carries essays by leading scholars exploring the historical and social context of the period - Abbas Amanat on the history of Qajar Iran, Layla Diba on imagery in Qajar Art, Maryam Ekhtiar on production and technique. Afsaneh Najmabadi on the gender dimensions of Qajar painting and Peter Chelkovski on patronage. Detailed entries describe and interpret a wide variety of paintings and artifacts, many hitherto unseen masterpieces from museums such as the Hermitage and private collections are sumptuously illustrated here for the first time.
A unique reference work, Royal Persian Paintings will appeal to both specialists of pre-modern Iran and all those interested in non-Western artistic and cultural traditions. Published in association with Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York.
