page_title: Persian art
section_title: Safavids
hierarchical_section_title: Persian art / Safavids
caption_attribution_description: English: Plate with two pomegranates. Français&#160;: Plat aux deux grenades.
context_page_description: Persian art or Iranian art has one of the richest art heritages in world history and has been strong in many media including architecture, painting, weaving, pottery, calligraphy, metalworking and sculpture. At different times, influences from the art of neighbouring civilizations have been very important, and latterly Persian art gave and received major influences as part of the wider styles of Islamic art. Rock art in Iran is its most ancient surviving art. Iranian architecture is covered at that article.
  From the Achaemenid Empire of 550 BC–330 BC for most of the time a large Iranian-speaking state has ruled over areas similar to the modern boundaries of Iran, and often much wider areas, sometimes called Greater Iran, where a process of cultural Persianization left enduring results even when rulership separated. The courts of successive dynasties have generally led the style of Persian art, and court-sponsored art has left many of the most impressive survivals.
  In ancient times the surviving monuments of Persian art are notable for a tradition concentrating on the human figure and animals.
context_section_description: Safavid art is the art of the Persian Safavid dynasty from 1501 to 1722. It was a high point for the art of the book and architecture; and also including ceramics, metal, glass, and gardens. The arts of the Safavid period show a far more unitary development than in any other period of Persian art, with the same style, diffused from the court, appearing in carpets, architectural tiles, ceramics, and manuscript illumination.
  When the Safavids seized the throne Persian art had become divided into two styles: in the east a continuation of Timurid styles, and in the west a Turkman style. Two rulers of the new dynasty succeeded in encouraging new styles that spread all over their territories: Shah Tahmasp I, who reigned 1524–1576 but lost interest in art after about 1555, and Shah Abbas I (r. 1588–1629).
  Chinese imitation drawings emerged in 15th century Persian art. Scholars have noted that extant works from the post-Mongol period contain an abundance of motifs common to Chinese art like dragons, simurgh, cloud-bands, gnarled tree trunks, and lotus and peony flowers. Chinoiserie was popular during this period. Themes that had become standard in Persian art by the 16th and 17th centuries included hunting scenes, landscapes featuring animals and horsemen battling lions. Literary scenes depicting animal fables and dragons also featured in the artwork of this period. Scholars have not found evidence of Persian drawing before the Mongol invasions but hunting, combat between men and animals and animal fables are believed to be Persian or Central Asian themes.
caption: Chinese-influenced Plate decorated with two pomegranates, v. 1500, the Louvre
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