Journal of Razavi Culture

An Analytical Study of Two Paintings Related to Imam Reza (A.S) As Depicted in the Tahmasbi Divination Book 967-962 (A.H) Using Erwin Panofsky’s Iconological Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Elaheh Panjehbashi 1
Motahareh Seifi 2

1 Department of Painting, Faculty of art, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran(Corresponding Author)

2 Master’s Degree in Painting, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/farzv.2024.418530.1919
Abstract
 
Panofsky is one of the most important researchers of the iconology approach.Iconology examines the meaning of the artwork.Panofsky distinguished three levels of meaning(pre-iconographic description,iconographic analysis,iconographic interpretation).in the reading of works of art the two painting of Imam Reza’s footsteps and the saving of people in the sea by him are fromTahmasabi’s Falnama,which was commissioned by Shah Tahmasib Safavi.The Safavids attributed their lineage to Imam Kazem.they paid special attention to his son,Imam Reza who played an important role in the influence of Shiism in Iran.The purpose of the  research is how to read the iconology of two paintings related to Imam Reza in Tahmasabi’s Falnama with Panofsky’s opinions.This research seeks to answer these questions, how is the iconology analysis of these two painting with Panofsky’s opinions?Considering the cultural and religious context of Shah Tahmasab period,what are the structural and visual characteristics of two paintings? What fundamental values of the period of Tahmasab do the iconologic analysis of these two paintings reveal?This research is conducted in a qualitative and comparative-analytical manner and the method of collecting materials is done in a library manner and with an iconology approach.it seems that the painter in the image of the steps by using the form of a footstool in the mihrab, is simultaneously reminding the three steps associated with the Muslim Qibla and, as a result, the principles of Shiite Islam,monotheism,prophecy and imamate.It is also a document because in that period,the footprints in Nishabur were the expression of the footsteps of Imam Reza.In the second painting the painter portrays Tahmasab in the form of Imam Reza the promoter of Shia in Iran, and refers to the incident of Humayun Gorkani’s request for help from Tahmasab.Finally subconsciously it refers to the fundamental values of Tahmasb’s period which are the important Shiite principles and the emphasis onTahmasb’s legitimacy

Keywords

Safavi
Tahmasbi’s Falnama. Imam Reza’s Footsteps Painting
The rescue of the sea people by Imam Reza Painting
Erwin Panofsky
iconology

Subjects

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URLS:
URL1: https://www.mahmah.ch/collection/oeuvres/scene-dans-une-mosquee-au-sanctuaire-de-limam-reza/1971-0107-035
URL2: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451017
URL3: https://mapio.net/pic/p-45775958/
URL4: https://bintjbeil.org/post/40507/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D8%A4%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%82-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A5%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7
URL5:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/The_rock_of_the_Dome_of_the_Rock_Corrected.jpg?uselang=fa
URL 6: https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010321761
URL 7:
https://asia.si.edu/explore-art-culture/collections/search/edanmdm:fsg_S1986.252/
URL 8: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/1613047554
URL 9: https://iiif.si.edu/mirador/?manifest=https%3A%2F%2Fids.si.edu%2Fids%2Fmanifest%2FFS-7370_45
URL 10: https://iiif.si.edu/mirador/?manifest=https%3A%2F%2Fids.si.edu%2Fids%2Fmanifest%2FFS-6776_01

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