Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mahnaz Shayeste Far ¹
• Mahbobe Shahbazi ²

¹ Associate Professor, Islamic Art Study, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

² MA in Islamic Art Study, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

Abstract

The remained visual sources of Qajar art works can be studied as one of the referable, valid evidence for identifying thewomen's roles and identity during this period. For this purpose‚ the illustrations of the Arabian Nights manuscript by Sani Al-Molk is considered as one of the references recognizing the womanʼs presence during Qajar period. This masterpiece has some exclusive features distinguishing the collection from the similar ones made in the same period including the painterʼs use of social sources and contemporary real persons and places for drawing the illustrations. The study aims to describe the women's social status in the Qajar era‚ using the itineraries and other written sources‚ and compare it with the pictures of the collection. This paper which is based on the documented studies, focuses on the paintings which show woman’s stronger attendance. According to the findings of this paper‚ Sani Al-Molk did not absolutely apply the social sources of his age for picturing the women at his manuscript.

Keywords

• the Arabian Nights‚ Qajar itineraries
• womenʼs paintings
• womenʼs social status

Main Subjects

• Art