Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

A Study of the Influence of Manichaean Art on Timurid-Era Painting Based on Max Weber's Theory of Cultural Receptivity

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD student , Department of history, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of history, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2023.408024.2257
Abstract
Timurid-era painting is one of the significant and influential stages in the history of art in Iran. Following this, the role of Manichaean art and the influence of Manichaeism on the advancement of art during the Timurid period, as well as the role of Iranian art during this era and the agency of Turkic and Mongol elements, are crucial topics in Iranian history. The Ilkhanid-Mongol rule did not impose restrictions on artists and scholars, allowing them to utilize Manichaean art. The intelligence of Manichaeism in the conscious use of visual and figurative arts had a profound impact on the surrounding world. The most notable of these arts were painting and miniature painting. This study was conducted using a descriptive and analytical method, relying on library resources. The findings of the research, according to the theory of cultural influence, indicate that cultural factors were essential in the impact of Manichaean art on Timurid-era painting, leading to the growth and advancement of art in the form of miniature painting.
Objectives of the Study:

Investigating how Manichaeans used design and painting as a tool in an intelligent manner.
Examining how Manichaean art culturally influenced Timurid-era painting.

Research Questions:

How did Manichaeans use art as an intelligent tool?
Based on the theory of cultural influence, how did Manichaean art influence painting in the Timurid era?
Keywords

Subjects


Adamova, A.T. (2007). Iranian Paintings: The Treasures of the Hermitage from the 15th to the 19th Century. Translation: Zohreh Feyzi, Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. [In Persian].
Ajhand, Yaqoob. (2008). The Shiraz School of Painting. Tehran: Academy of Arts. [In Persian].
Ajhand, Yaqub. (1389). Iranian Painting. Vol. 1, Tehran: Samt. [In Persian].
Bagheri, Mohammad. (1375). From Samarkand to Kashan. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publishing House. [In Persian].
Barthold. (1366). Oghbeg and His Time. Translated by Hossein Ahmadipour, Tehran: Chehre Bookstore. [In Persian].
Blair, Sheila, M., & Bellow, Jonathan. (1382). Islamic Art and Architecture in Iran and Central Asia - Ilkhanid and Timurid Periods. Rajm Mohammad Musa Hashemi Golpayegani, Vol. 1, Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Printing Organization. [In Persian].
Boyce, M. (1975). A Reader in Manichaean Middle Persian and Parthian, Leiden,
Gulacsi, Zsuzanna,(2005) Mediaeval Manichaean Book Art, Leiden,
Carpets of the Ilkhanate and Timurid Periods. (2019). National Carpet Center of Iran.
Englis, Fard. (2007). Culture. Summary and translation: Mahmoud Arghavan, Tehran: Center for Globalization Studies. [In Persian].
Esmaeil-Pour, Abolghasem. (2002). The Creation Myth in Manichaeism. Tehran: Karun. [In Persian].
Esmaeil-Pour, Abolghasem. (2003). "Mani and Manichaeism in Ancient Persian Traditions up to the 5th Century AH." Journal of Humanities, No. 39.
Esmaeil-Pour, Golshan. (2012). "A Study of Manichaean Painting Style in Fragment 134." Journal of Iranian Studies, No. 21.
Fakuhi, Nasser. (2003). History of Thought and Anthropological Theories. Tehran: Ni. [In Persian].
Ghazi, Abdolrahim. (2008). Nizam al-Mulk Sani Ali Sharnavaei. History of Research.
Giddens, Anthony. (2005). World Perspectives. Translated by Mohammad Reza Jalaeipour, Tehran: Tarh No. [In Persian].
Hamby, Louis; Menorah, de Villa; Geo Weidengren. (1997). Manichaean and Zoroastrian Art. Translated by Yaqoob Ajhand, Tehran: Moli. [In Persian].
Heravi, Seif bin Muhammad. (1982). Tarikh-e-Namah of Herat. By the efforts of Mohammad Asef Fikrat, Tehran: Endowment Foundation. [In Persian].
Jahanbakhsh, Farhang. (2007). History of Iranian Thought in Two Centuries of Silence. (Unplaced), author. [In Persian].
Jahanbegloo, Ramin. (2005). Kian Magazine, No. 19.
Kalim Kait, Hans Joachim. (2004). Manichaean Art. Translated by Abolghasem Esmailpour, Tehran: Fekr Rooz. [In Persian].
Kanbay, Shila. (2002). Iranian Painting. Translated by Mahnaz Shayestehfar, Tehran: Institute for Islamic Art Studies Publications. [In Persian].
Kawsi, Vali Allah. (Bita). Grounds for the Development of Art in the Timurid Period. [In Persian].
Khalaj Amirhosseini, Morteza. (2009). Hidden Secrets in the Art of Painting. Tehran: Aban Book. [In Persian].
Memarzadeh, Mohammad. (2009). Manichaean Painting - The Book of the Moon and Art. [In Persian].
Mirfakharai, Mahshid. (2004). Fereshteh Roshni - Mani and His Teachings. Tehran: Qoqnoos. [In Persian].
Mirjafari, Hossein. (2002). History of Political and Cultural Developments in the Timurid Period. Tehran: Samat. [In Persian].
Murid Heydari, Shima. (2002). "Analysis and Development in Painting from the 8th to the 11th Century." Master's Thesis, Azad University, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Central Tehran Branch. [In Persian].
Naseh, Nateg. (1978). A Discussion of Mani's Life and Message. Tehran: Amir Kabir. [In Persian].
Pakbaz, Roein. (1380). Iranian Painting - From Ancient Times to Today. Tehran: Zarrin and Simin. [In Persian].
Pope, Arthur Rapham. (1378). The History and Forms of Iranian Painting. Translated by Yaqub Ajhand, Tehran: Molly. [In Persian].
Raazi, Mohammad Reza. (2016). Illustrated Dictionary and Terms of Iranian Art. Tehran: Al-Zahra University. [In Persian].
Reichmand Scientific Site. (2016). "What is Acculturation?" [In Persian].
Shahi, Nizam al-Din. (2004). Zafarnameh. Tehran: Bamdad. [In Persian].
Shaabani, Reza. (2009). The Migration of Iranian Artists in the Timurid Period. Tehran: Scientific and Cultural. [In Persian].
Sharifi, Somayeh & Chitsazian, Amirhossein. (2018). "A Study of the Process of Quran Illumination in the Timurid - Safavid and Qajar Periods." Bi-monthly Scientific-Research Journal of Art and Humanities, No. 3.
Shayestehfar, Mahnaz. (2003). "Painting of the Shiraz School." Visual Arts, No. 20.
Shayestehfar, Mahnaz. (2009). "Baghdad School of Painting on Shiite Themes." Bi-monthly Scientific-Research Journal of Islamic Art Studies, No. 10.
Shayestehfar, Mahnaz & Nar Mollatifian. (2002). "A Study of the Characteristics and Comparative Study of Iranian Paintings in the Timurid and Safavid Periods - Two Shahnamehs of Baysanqari - Shah Tahmasbi." Modarres Honar Quarterly, Volume 1, No. 2.
Sherato, Umberto & Gruyere, Ernest. (2005). Ilkhanid and Timurid Art. Translated by Yaghoub Ajhand, Tehran: Moli. [In Persian].
Shafie Kadkani, Mohammad Reza. (2003). Hasti Quarterly. Tehran. [In Persian].
Shirazi, Ali Asghar & Sadeghpour Firuzabad, Abolfazl. (2012). “A Study of the Influence of Manichaean Decorations on the Decoration of Early Islamic Qurans in the Imam Reza Quran Museum (AS).” Fine Arts and Visual Arts Journal, No. 4.
The Concept of Color in the Herat School with a Study of the Paintings of Yusuf and Zulaykha. (1401). Madrasa Ide, A Study of Iranian Painting Schools, Yektaparst News Site. [In Persian].
Weber, Max. (1987). Methodology of Social Sciences. Translated by Hassan Chavushian, vol. 3, Tehran: Markaz. [In Persian].
Weidengren, Geo. (1987). Mani and His Teachings. Translated by Nezhat Safai Isfahani, Tehran: Markaz. [In Persian].
Yazdi, Sharaf al-Din Ali. (1957). Zafarnameh of Timuri. Tehran: Amir Kabir. [In Persian].