Arts and Culture
Arts of Persia (1)
Art of ancient Persia includes:
- Architecture
- Panting
- Sculpture
- Goldsmithing
- Ancient art in Persia was a major influence on the visual arts and culture of the region.
- Persia, one of the oldest countries in the world, and one of the earliest civilizations in the history of art.
- Borrowed largely from their predecessors in the Fertile Crescent.
- The royal residence was reached by a grand stairway faced with beautiful reliefs
- Pottery was the main interest, they are known for their detail works
- One of the first weavers in the world
- Early Persian artworks include the intricate ceramics from Susa and Persepolis(c.3500 BCE)
- A series of small bronze objects from mountainous Luristan(c.1200-750 BCE)
- Treasure trove of gold, silver, and ivory objects from Ziwiye(c.700 BCE)
- The first upsurge of Persian art occurred during the Achaemenid Dynasty era of Persian Empire.
- Persian art under the Parthians, after the death of Alexander the Great, it mixture of Greek and Iranian so in building decorated with sculptured heads and fresco wall painting
- Sassanid artist designed highly decorative stone mosaics, range of gold and silver dishes, typically decorated with animals and hunting scenes
- The unique Persian art is all over the place and you can feel the majestic eras of kings
- Majestic architecture: Persian architecture is very simple
- Animals were frequently used (bird = freedom, bull = protection)
- Most important work was in palace architecture built on a high terrace
- Massive audience hall in the palace
- Darius I and Xerxes built a magnificent palace
- Huge staircase (very small steps) lead up to the audience hall
- There were bulls facing opposite directions which topped the columns
- Carved reliefs show people bringing tributes
Persian Garden
- Portals to Heaven (3)
- Located in the craggy Iranian terrain (3)
- Geometrical pattern inside a wall area
- Trees, flowers, plants
- Important part of the culture
- Political, Philosophical and religious symbolism (4)
- The Persians increased interest in gardening
- They loved flowers, perfume manufactured, derived from flowers
Carpets
- Signature exports
- Techniques and patterns were passed down through generations of carpet makers by memory (5)
- Geometric
- Floral pattern
- Colours and dyes from plants
- Designed like a garden (6)
- Also used for wall decorations
Pottery
- Dated back to 6000 BCE (7)
- Geometric, floral, animal design
- Lotus flower = represent the life of a women (7)
- Many everyday objects were made of metal
- Metal bowls were sometimes made into specific weight and used as currency (8)
Sculpture
- They had a distinct creative style
- The Behistun inscriptions were hugh carvings which are on the Zagros mountain, show how Ahura Mazda oversee Darius defeating his enemy (9)
- Reliefs can be found at tombs
- Eg. Persian Man-Bull Column
Culture of Persia
- Poetry: Persian poetry is some of the most beautiful poetry in the world and the Persians cultivated four unique types of poetry, the “epic”, the “ghasideh” a purpose poem, the “masnavi” a narrative poem, the “ghazal” a lyrical poem (10)
- Each culture was allowed to keep their religion
- The poets were extremely important when the Arabs attacked them because it kept them “alive” (10)
- They worshipped many gods and followed the religion of Zoroastrianism. They often make sacrifices for their gods
- They would carry out spirituals to protect them from demons and worship the go like sprinkle water and build fire temples (expressed in art) (11)
- They had statues of gods, especially Anahita (the fertility goddess) and Haoma (god of immortality) (11)
- They decorated their homes with vases, sculptures and fabrics
- The education system was mapped out and organised well
- They were taught how to ride a horse, to draw bows and to speak the truth
- Their homes varied according to the wealth, the home were simple (sun-dried bricks and mud, straw) (11)
- More luxurious homes are made of limestone or baked bricks and the floors was covered in carpets
Persian Soldier mosaics (12)
- Decorated the palace of Susa
- Keepers of law and order
Music (13)
- Important part of prayers and celebrations
- Tanbour, inspired other instruments like sitar and tambura
- Santorum, drums, harps and tambourines
For best results, please choose the 720p quality.