At the turn of the 20th century, in the popular art and media of the “West,” the “Middle East” was depicted as a mysterious, exotic region. Cliched images such as camels, deserts, half-naked dancing women, and buildings with minarets and domes were ubiquitous in illustrating anything related to Iran or the Middle East.
These are images from a recently-found completely unrecorded Shahnameh in British Library collection. This copy of Shahnameh is probably from 1640, illustrated by by Muhammad Yusuf, a prolific artist during the reigns of the Safavid rulers Shah Safi (r. 1629-42) and Shah Abbas II (r. 1642-66).
Comic books were not popular in Iran until the 1960s when a children’s magazine, Keyhan Bacheha, began publishing them. Between 1969 to 1977 Universal Publishers, published thirteen books from Tintin series.
Twelve Engravings from the book PERSIA by Frederic Shoberl (1775–1853). Published in Philadelphia, 1828.
Behzad Golpayegani (1938-1985) was a graphic designer who worked in 1970s for various journals, such as Peyk and Talaash. He also designed many book covers for the Franklin company, a publisher of pocket-sized paperbacks. The use of typography and kraft board distinguished him from other Iranian designers.
This pen case is decorated with scenes from the Haft paykar (or Seven Images), one of five compositions that make up the Khamsa (Quintet) by the medieval poet Nizami of Ganja (ca. 1141–1209). This work narrates the life of the pre-Islamic Sassanian king Bahram V Gur, who is transformed from a pleasure-seeking prince into a wise and just king guided by law.
For ages the battle of Rostam and White Deev has been one of the most popular subjects among Iranian book illustrators, tile-makers, and coffee-house painters.
These postcards were drawn by the political cartoonist Kem (Kimon Evan Marengo 1907-1988), who during the Second World War produced over 3,000 propaganda cartoons for the British Ministry of Information.
Specially manufactured Playing Cards for the Iranian monopoly by Thos. De La Rue & CO Ltd. London. Designed by V. Romanowski de Boncza. Circa 1937.
