Iconological analysis of the illustrated frontispieces within the Shahnama manuscripts of the years 733 and 741 AH

Abstract

The illustration of the frontispieces within literary editions has been practiced as a fixed tradition by Injuid Shiraz school of illustration. The present study is sought to scrutinize and analyze the illustrated frontispieces within two royal versions of Shahnama in 733 AH and 741 AH, which belong to school of illustration in Injuid dynasty. The present study is sought to examine the content of these frontispieces’ editions in order to discover the hidden angles and perceive the buried meaning of these images. These illustrations had possessed the distinctive visual properties in comparison to its contemporary school, namely, Ilkhani.This study has been conducted based on the bibliographical studies, employing the iconological approach of Erwin Panofsky. The results of the present study indicate the representations of the impacts of the apprehensive social and political events of Shiraz concerning the selections of themes and methods of illustration in this period. The inculcation of the faultlessness and supremacy of Injuid rulers known as the inheritor of divine majesty against the devil forces are apparent in these illustrated pieces. The measures taken by Injuid which were directed towards creation of self-consciousness in proportion to “National Identity” to win “Political Legitimacy” in the turbulent situation of Shiraz, are traceable in pieces’ illustration.

Keywords

• ‌iconology
• ‌illustrated frontispieces
• ‌injuid painting
• shahnama733 ah
• shahnama‌741 ah