ICCROM Mora Samples Collection
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Isfahan: MRA-IRN-Isf003

Type Sample Item

Sample ID

MRA-IRN-Isf003

Sample Material Type

Mural painting

Sample Sub-type

fragment

Dimensions (cm)

Length
7.1
Width
1.3
Height
1.1

Weight

weight value (g)
15.76

Geographic Location

Country
Iran
Place
Isfahan

Site/monument

Iran (IRN)
Isfahan
Ali Qapu Palace

Historical note about the site/monument

The Ali Qapu was built gradually as a center for courtly life across from Isfahan’s main square, Maydan-i Imam (formerly Maydan-i Shah). Construction was begun by Safavid Shah ‘Abbas I in the late 16th century and likely finished around the mid-17th century. The lavish interiors and portico of the palace feature remarkable mural paintings by Reza Abbasi and his school, which are characterized by elegant forms and flat fields of color accented by delicate modeling. Also notable is the stunning ceiling of the palace’s Music Hall. It is embellished with plaster muqarnas that may have provided improved acoustics as well as visual spectacle.

Further reading:
Khabir, P. (2016). Aesthetics in the Architecture of Ali Qapu Palace. Available at SSRN 3165092.
Sardar, M. (2000). Shah Abbas and the arts of Isfahan. Heibrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Chronological period (sample)

16th-17th century
Fig.1. sample overview (front). Photo by M.Gil2018 © ICCROM Archives
Fig.2. sample overview (reverse). Photo by M.Gil2018 © ICCROM Archives
Fig.3. sample profile. Photo by M.Gil2018 © ICCROM Archives
The Music Hall at ‘Ali Qapu (public domain), https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iran_Isfahan_Ali.Qapu_Music_Room_02.jpg
Safavid mural painting at the palace (photo by Peter Chou Kee Liu, https://www.flickr.com/photos/peteropaliu/8784197246/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Fig.1. sample overview (front). Photo by M.Gil2018 © ICCROM Archives

Inventory

Mora Samples Collection | Fonds
Iran: MRA-IRN | Series
Isfahan: MRA-IRN-Isf | File
Isfahan: MRA-IRN-Isf003 | Sample Item

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