Universität Wien

080075 SE Seminar: Persian Painting from the Late Medieval to the Early Modern Periods (2013S)

10.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 8 - Kunstgeschichte und Europäische Ethnologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 13.03. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 20.03. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 10.04. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 17.04. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 24.04. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 08.05. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 15.05. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 22.05. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 29.05. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 05.06. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 12.06. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 19.06. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20
  • Wednesday 26.06. 14:30 - 16:00 Seminarraum 2 d. Inst. f. Kunstgeschichte UniCampus Hof 9 3F-EG-20

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The seminar focuses on book painting of the 14th-17th centuries in a chronological and thematic order. In this context "Persian painting" means images in books of the Persian language which in the periods under consideration were not only produced in Iran ("Persia") but also in other regions with Persian as a culture language. It deals with examples from centres of the Ilkhans and Jalairids in Iran and Iraq, of the Timurids in Central Asia and the Safavids in Iran. Despite major cultural, ethnic, lingusitic and religious differences between these regions, paintings in illustrated luxury manuscripts made for Islamic rulers and princes belonged to a shared tradition in which works and masters of one centre could become a model for other centres.
We are dealing with stylistic characterisics, with the relation of image and text, and with a legitimizing function of image programmes. A particular focus is on the question of the relation of nature and man in form and content of the paintings. The depiction of landscape and nature and their relation to the figural narrative in the image appear to be characteristics of Persian painting but have not been subject of much scholarly analysis.
Their description and categorization will provide a thematic supplement to stylistic periodization and to "painting schools" of centres and masters. While possible external models have been noted, intra-cultural and autochthonous factors must have provided a framework. As a potential perspective of interpretation and source of iconography, Persian poetry which provided many of the texts that were illustrated, and its metaphorical relation of nature and man will be considered.

Assessment and permitted materials

Group presentation, individual presentation and written assignment based on it. Substantial participation in discussions and in peer feedback. Regular attendance.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The course enables an understanding of aspects of the art of book painting in medieval and early modern Islamic cultures. It introduces to the scholarly discussion on developments and characteristics of stylistic periods of Persian book painting and to some of its functions. Descriptive analysis will be exercised with a view to literary aspects in order to deal with the research question of metaphorical relations of nature and man in the painted image.

Examination topics

In an introductory part, theoretical and methodological aspects of context will be discussed on the basis of group presentations and collective readings. In the second part, discussion starts from individual presentations based on specific illustrated manuscripts. A final conclusion will bring together the findings. The construction of questions on the basis of context and descriptive analysis and a reverbatory use of scholarly literature will be practised. If time permits we will see originals in a brief excursion to a collection in Vienna.

Reading list

See above.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:31