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The Role of Composition as a Visual Language in Safavid Painting

نقش ترکیب‌بندی به عنوان زبان بصری در نگارگری صفوی
Authors: Haleh Ghoorchian;

The Role of Composition as a Visual Language in Safavid Painting

Abstract

Safavid painting (miniature) is recognized as one of the golden eras of Persian art, distinguished by its innovative and sophisticated compositions. This qualitative, documentary-descriptive study aims to analyze the role of composition as a visual language in Safavid painting, examining its history, characteristics, schools (Herat, Tabriz, Isfahan), and underlying philosophy. The research focuses on specific compositional types developed during this period, including multi-centric, circular, L-shaped, and T-shaped arrangements. Furthermore, it explores the prominent presence of natural elements (plants, animals, water, sky) within these compositions and their philosophical foundations rooted in Islamic mysticism, particularly the concept of “unity in multiplicity” (Tawhid). The findings indicate that composition in Safavid painting was not merely an aesthetic tool but a sophisticated visual language reflecting the cosmological worldview, social hierarchy, political legitimacy, and spiritual ideals of Safavid society. This study concludes that Safavid compositions serve as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, conveying concepts of divine love, unity, and the reflection of human emotions through the symbolic use of nature.

Keywords

Islamic Art, Safavid Painting, Nature Symbolism, Persian Miniature, Visual Language, Safavid Painting, Composition, Visual Language, Persian Miniature, Islamic Art, Nature Symbolism, MysSafavid Painting, Composition, Visual Language, Persian Miniature, Islamic Art, Nature Symbolism, Mysticismticism, Composition

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green