Title: A Visual Analysis of Human Figures in the Illustrations of the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp: Focusing on Gesture, Facial Depiction, and Clothing

Aygin Mardani Valandani¹ Negin Mehrjerdi²

1) Assistant Professor, Department of Handicrafts, Faculty of Arts, University of Bojnord
2) Graduate of the Bachelor s Program in Handicrafts, University of Bojnord

IOI Code : AACH-AACCEF
Publication : 7th.International Conference & 8th.National Conference on Civil Engineering, Architecture, Art and Urban Design(8iccacs.ir)
Abstract :
    The Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp is one of the most outstanding examples of Persian miniature painting from the Safavid period. Combining the epic themes of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh with the refined skills of the master painters of the Tabriz school, this manuscript offers a unique visual corpus. In these illustrations, human figures not only serve as narrative agents but also convey deeper cultural, social, and aesthetic meanings. This article aims to conduct a visual analysis of the human figures within these paintings, focusing on three main elements: gesture, facial depiction, and clothing. The research adopts a qualitative methodology with a descriptive-analytical approach, and purposeful sampling was applied to select ten significant miniatures from the manuscript. The findings suggest that bodily gestures reflect the characters’ social status, narrative function, and psychological states. Despite adherence to traditional stylistic conventions, facial representation reveals emotional subtleties, gender distinctions, and hierarchical cues. Furthermore, clothing operates as a semiotic system, signaling class distinctions, power relations, and cultural aesthetics. Overall, the illustrations in the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp represent a rich visual and symbolic system of human depiction that transcends mere narration, offering insight into the visual culture of the Safavid era.

Keywords : shahnameh of shah tahmasp persian miniature human figure gesture facial depiction clothing