Interpretation of Women Characters in the Folk Shahnameh of the 948 AH/1540 AD of the Second Tabriz School According to Panofsky's Method

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 P. H.D., Student, Art Research,, Department of Art Research, Faculty of Art, Al-ZahraUniversity, Tehran, Iran.

2 P. H. D., Professor, Art Research Department, Faculty of Arts, Al-Zahra University, Tehran.

3 P. H. D., Professor, Art Research Department, Faculty of Arts, Al-Zahra University, Tehran. Iran.

10.22034/ias.2022.322875.1844

Abstract

The position of women in diverse periods is influenced by the fluctuations in the society in which they live. By scrutinizing illustrated books outside the court, their statuses in various historical periods can be carefully studied. Shahnameh, as one of the remarkable books of Safavid kings, has been illustrated many times and throughout many artistic phases. This research, accomplished with a descriptive-analytical method and by using the documentary sources, seeks to examine the status of women in the folk Shahnameh created in the year 948 AH/1540 AD. In this regard, the interpretation and role of women in the painting of this Shahnameh is discussed by adopting the approach of iconology and iconography. The results of the research indicate that court women have always been of interest during the Safavid period, the Shahnameh and exclusively painting as many conjoint points can be seen. In all paintings, only court women or princesses are stated with mention of street and market women. Therefore, women that have mentioned in the Shahnameh are of wisdom, politics and charity. On the other hand, in the history of the Safavid period, all women belong to a high social class. In the association between text and image, in a number of cases, the painter has proceeded according to his taste. Likewise, it was found that the pictorial themes in the painting of this Shahnameh depend on many factors including the developments of the Safavid society, the position of women in that period, Ferdowsi's view of women and the tradition of Iranian painting. Moreover, in order to better verify the connections other sources should also be analyzed.

Research aims:
1. Analyzing the role and position of women in the painting of the Shahnameh of the Safavid period.
2. Investigating the role and position of women in the Safavid period and the painting of the second school of Tabriz.

Research questions:
1. What patterns did the author of the Shahnameh use to show the position of the image of women based on Panofsky's theory?
2. What are the similarities and differences between the role and status of women in the Safavid era, with Ferdowsi's view and Tabriz school of painting?

Keywords

References

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Islamic Art Studies
Volume 18, Issue 44
February 2021
Pages 408-427

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