The Long and Colorful History of Persian Art

A Colorful Existence

Whether it’s the deep blue tiles on a tomb for poets, the intricate weaving and decoration on a bright red rug, or the flowing calligraphy inside a miniature Quran, Persian artistry never seizes to mystify and astound those who view them.

The colors, designs, and words used in Persian art are rich in details. Its unique style has influenced many art forms throughout the world, and has opened a window into this once mighty and enduring culture.

To understand Persian art, one must look at its long history

From the Neolithic era to present-day Iran, Persian art has incorporated many realms of artistry and craftsmanship in several forms.

Even in today’s Iran, where restrictions have been placed on the arts, it has managed to endure.

In the Beginning

To understand Persian art, one must look at its long history. From its prehistoric past, the various empires, Muslim conquest, modernization, and today’s theocratic state.

The first Persians settled in the once water-rich Iranian plateau. Tappeh Sialk and Susa (two settlements that would eventually be rediscovered and excavated) would reveal some of the earliest forms of Persian art. Although much of the pottery and other artifacts found at these sites were crude, some were immaculate and complex.

One example was the painted Beaker from Susa (circa 5000-4000 BCE). This highly stylized beaker depicted an ibex (represented by two triangles and oversized horns) and racing hounds. Also, according to the website Iransaga.com, it contained a wader “circulating the mouth of the vase” which resembled “musical notes.”

Bronze Age Metalwork

Persian Art and Ancient Persia evolved from a few settlements into several kingdoms such as the Elam kingdom. In the Elamite era (3rd millennium BC.), metalwork, weaving, tapestry, embroidery and the art of glazing bricks flourished. Also, their written language emerged.

Metalwork developed. Life-size bronze statues of kings and queens were cast. Vases made of silver with figurines were created (one example is a vase is better known as the Silver Paleo-Elamite vase from Marv-Dasht).

Another significant artifact was a pendant found beneath the Temple of Inshushinak. The pendant recorded an event in which a 12th century BC king, Shilhak-Inshusshink, gave his daughter Bar-Uli an engraved pendant (most likely, the very pendant this event was recorded on). It records the event in the Elamite language and through engraved illustration showing the king and daughter making the exchange.

In Luristan in western Iran, engraved bronze artifacts, casting of horse trappings, harness ornaments, and weapons were created between the 12th and 8th centuries B.C.

On the west coast of the Caspian Sea, the people of Marlik created art reflecting the rich population of animals and fauna there. This included a mini bronze sculpture of a hunch-backed bull mounted on four wheels, a ceramic hunch-backed bull, golden vases, goblets, silver vessels, and weapons.

In the process, art of all sorts flourished, most notably, architecture.

Also, their items were adorned with mythological creatures such as griffins and winged bulls.

During the 8th and 7th century BC, the people of Mannai borrowed techniques from the Assyrians and the Uratu to create figurines from gold. Much of the artwork created here would later influence the Scythians that followed after Mannai fell to them in the 7th century BC.

The Empires

Persia would eventually become an empire. Starting with the Achaemenian Dynasty in 549 BC, they grew from a region between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea to a vast empire occupying much of western Asia, and northeast Africa and to the Indus River in the east.

In the process, art of all sorts flourished, most notably, architecture. Also, this period saw the rise of Zoroastrianism – a religion (still practiced today) that would later have profound influence on Persian artwork. The deities, angels, demons and God of this religion would be the inspiration for statues, reliefs, murals, temples, literature and folk music of the times.

The most important area of development was architecture. The great ruler, Darius I, built several palaces in Susa and Persepolis. The murals found inside were depicted images of mythological winged creatures – one resembling the hawk often found in Ancient Egyptian art. The other images – the human-headed winged lions and depiction of the elite military force known as the “immortals” – became popular themes.

The first Persian Empire would fall to Alexander the Great. It wasn’t until the Parthian came into power in 250 BC that Persian art returned to glory.

The Parthian era was marked by the production of “iwan” architecture (great halls open on one side with a high barrel-vaulted roof). Also, according to the defunct site, Iransaga.com, this was an era of “clunky” ware. Pottery made from hard red clay and jewelry made  clunky noises when tapped. Eventually, they would introduce Byzantium, Sassanians, and Indian styles .  

Next came the Sassanians. Their reign lasted between 244 and 633 AD.  Like the previous empires they contributed to the development of architecture, and were known for their stucco wall decorations full of animals, human busts, and geometric and floral motifs.

Islamic Art

The Muslim conquest  moved the capital to present-day Bagdad. It also introduced a cultural exchange that has lasted to this day. Although the Persians retained their oral language, their alphabets switched to Arabic.

Also, the art found new audiences. Soon, their painting, weaving, tapestry and rug-making techniques were influencing the style and art of the Islamic world. Demand for the Persian art grew internationally, as well.

There are several recognized eras of Persian Art during this time. The first is called the Abbassid period (750-1285 AD). Architecture took its important role. As it has been the case, bricks, vaulted roofs, and pillars were used excessively. This period also saw the rise of ceramic pottery, and the written art such as calligraphy.

The Samanids (819-1005 AD) of eastern Iran thrived on art. They created Mausoleums and ceramic wares. Also, they focused on the use of silk in their tapestry. The Ghaznavid’s from Ghanzi in present-day Afghanistan (10th-12 century) focused on decorations and reliefs for minarets.

The Seljuk (11th-13 century) were noted for a unique art form. The Qurans hand-produced by them were ornate and  distinctive in its color and textures on the covers and pages.

The Mongol Invasion to the Present

The Old Persian world was beset by several invasions. Each one added some influences or destroyed previous traditions. First to conquer were the Mongols led by Genghis Khan and a century later by Timur the Lame. They added far-eastern influences, but proved to be destructive to old traditions.

Next, the Safavid of Turkish origin (1502-1737) arrived. This was not exactly an invasion. However, they were concerned with two things:

• preventing the Ottomans from invading and

• Opening ties with Europeans.

As a result, two things happened. There was a revival of ancient Persian art and new influences from the west infused into it.

The most notable were the paintings and picture books of the era. Most impressive was the “Shahrama-yi”, translated, “The King’s Book of Kings.” It contained 258 painted illustrations, depicting the lives of Persian kings.

Modern Times

After 1737, the modern era began.  Throughout a period known as the Zand and Qajar, oil painting, lacquer box decoration, and new forms of book-bindings were introduced.  The continuation of illustrated historical manuscripts, portraits, and the use of shading flourished in an area that lasted until 1925.

After the 1920s, the age of the Shahs began. This contentious era would last until 1979 when the last Shah was deposed. Iran became a theocratic republic.

Today, much of Persian art has remained within Iran’s present borders. The fundamentalist imams and Ayatollahs have had strong control over what is made in the country. However, there is one promising area that has emerged – at least on a very small scale.

A Film Industry In Transition

During 1990s, Iranian cinema emerged. The international film community took notice, screening them at major film festivals. The film industry in Iran proved to be so successful that they gained a reputation as being one of the best exporters of films.

The films have drawn comparisons to Italian neorealism, and have been noted for its use of light, color, and story-telling that depicted and subtlety critiqued life in modern Iran.

Despite its success, the film industry has drawn the ire of the government. In 2011, Iran’s Council of Public Culture declared the country’s largest professional filmmaking organization, House of Cinema to be illegal. Several filmmakers had been detained by the government for selling films to outside sources.

Through invasions, major upheavals, and political and religious revolutions and changes, Persian art has evolved despite it all. In many respect, it has been the one constant over the thousands of years people have lived in this region of central Asia. There’s no reason to believe that Persian art in its many colorful forms will be going away anytime soon.

Work Cited

1. Iransaga.com (defunct): Retrieved 2011.

2. Britannica Editor: "Elam": Britannica (Retrieved 2026)

3. Museum Editor: "Pendant": The British Museum Website (Retrieved 2026)

4. Yazdan Safaee: "Tappeh Sialk: The Glory of Ancient Kashan":
   Bibliographia Iranica (Dec. 4, 2020).