Bihzād: Sar-Āmad-i Nigārgarān-i Īrān English 2025

This book examines the roots of Persian miniature painting in Iran, with particular emphasis on the artistic style of Kamāl al-Dīn Behzād. For the first time, all of Behzād’s authenticated and attributed works, together with a selection of the most significant works by his students, have been brought together in a single volume and subjected to critical analysis and interpretation.

Most importantly, the author explains, for the first time, the significance of Behzād’s paintings in understanding Persian literary and mystical texts, providing new insights into the relationship between image and meaning in classical Persian culture.

In this magnificent and richly illustrated work, the author analyzes and interprets 160 miniature paintings across seven chapters, while making a substantial effort to classify the artworks and establish their dates of creation. The result is a comprehensive and authoritative study of Behzād’s artistic legacy and his enduring influence on the Persian miniature tradition.