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Lesson Objective: Students will investigate the relation of art, music, literature, and culture by studying the paintings of Siah Qalam.

 

Homira Pashai 2-19-2020

                                                                                                                       

 Studies on Persianate Manuscripts, Arts, and Literature

 Illustrations: Courtesy of Topkapi Saray Library, Istanbul  

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                                                       Muhammad Siah Qalam And His Style of Painting

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        Qiasulddin Muhammad Naqqash, known as Muhammad Siah Galam, was a painter of the fifteen century C.E., and some of his paintings are part of the Topkapi Saray Library collection of Istanbul. His enigmatic paintings include nomadic life, fantastical monsters, grotesque characters, dancing rituals, musicians, etc. Examining his work, we can find ourselves entangled among the demons who are fighting, dancing, drinking, playing music, cutting trees, and stealing horses in a sensational manner. 

 

        Elements of Persian and Chinese painting fused with aspects of Shamanism in his work and created mysterious and magical drawings longing for the viewers’ attention. Excessive use of clothing knots, fabrics that are tied together to ward off evil spirits, diseases, and any act of mischief, is a significant part of his depictions. Also, many healing practices of Shamanism are detected in Muhammad Siah Qalam’s work.

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        In 1477 C.E. (882), Sultan Hosseiyn Bayaqra and his vizier Mir Ali Shir Navai chose Muhammad Siah Qalam as part of the envoy sent to China. His responsibility was to document his observations of foreign land employing paintings. He also wrote a travel account known as Safar nameh Qalami. Recently, some depictions of the Diez Albums of the Berlin State Library have also been attributed to Siah Qalam.

 

Look at the pictures below and explain what you see.

How do these pictures differ from the Persian art you had seen in the past?

Do you know the meaning of the term “Siah Qalam”?

Search for “Diez Album” and share your information with the class.

 

Imagine you were supposed to document your trip in a travelogue using illustrations. Create a journal entry of two-three paragraphs writing passages about your travel experience and depict the scenes.

Terms:

 

Shamanism

Siah Qalam

Sultan Hosseiyn Bayaqra

Vizier

Diez Albums

Topkapi Saray Library

Travelogue

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