Year of manufacture: 2009
Author: Sheila R. Canby
Genre: History of the Middle East / History of Iran / History of Oriental Art
Publisher: British Museum Press
English language
ISBN: 978-0-7141-2452-0; 978-0-7141-2456-8
Format: PDF
Number of Pages: 274
The book examines the history of the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722) - a period of dynamic religious and political development in Iran. Shah Abbas was the most successful ruler of Muslim Persia and an outstanding commander who expanded the possessions of Persia at the expense of part of the Ottoman Empire, most of Transcaucasia and Afghanistan, and part of India. He distinguished himself by vigorous activity and political vision, built roads and bridges, cared about the beautification of cities, especially Isfahan, where he moved his residence from Qazvin in 1592, and tried to revive the trade with India and Europe. In the capital of the empire, a number of great artists and thinkers were approached to the court. At his brilliant court, the envoys of the Great Mogul and other eastern princes met with the envoys of Russia, France, England, Spain and the Netherlands. Under Abbas, art and architecture flourished and reached new heights in the creation of magnificent shrines in Ardebil, Mashhad and Qom. During this, the so-called "golden period" of Persian art, Shah Abbas built and restored these shrines and sacrificed priceless works of art, including luxurious carpets, silks, porcelain and books, individual illustrations of which are presented in this edition. In this magnificently illustrated book there are many treasures - beautiful works of art donated to Iranian shrines during the reign of Shah Abbas.
The book was accompanied by an exhibition held in the British Museum from February 19 to June 14, 2009.
Download File Size:132.14 MB
|
