An Analysis of Architectural Representation in the Paintings of Afghanistan over the Last Four Decades

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Ph.D. Student in Islamic Arts, Faculty of Artifacts Arts, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Afghanistan offers the platforms required for the emergence of architectural representation in modern art due to its history in the creation of technically, functionally, and aesthetically architectural remarkable buildings. In addition, there has been a necessity for examining the functions of architectural representation in contemporary paintings and the continuity of this visual perspective in the present era. Such a necessity has been reinforced by the unique perspective of Herat school on the representation of architecture in paintings, such as the transformation of buildings and nature into locations for the action of humans, as well as the use of architecture in this school‘s paintings. This study is qualitative research employing a descriptive-analytical method. To investigate what semantic and aesthetic roles architecture has played in the paintings of this nation during the previous four decades, data was gathered from the library, the internet, and archival resources. The findings revealed that architectural representation emerges in many forms. Sometimes it is used to describe the locations of events. Sometimes it is used as a painting pattern in naturalistic works to enhance the aesthetics of buildings. It is also employed as a visual document in history or ethnography, and it underlines the difference between tradition and modernization. Examples of cubist, surrealist and abstract representations of architecture can also be seen in the works.

Keywords

References

  • Azoy, G.W. (2011). Buzkashi: Game and Power in Afghanistan. Usa: Waveland Press.
  • Behnesi, A. (2006). Islamic Art ( M. Aghasi, Trans.). Tehran: Sure Mehr.
  • Carroll, N. (2002). Philosophy Of Art: A Contemporary introduction. USA: Routledge.
  • Dupree, N. H. (1977). An Historical Guide to Afghanistan. USA: Afghan Tourist Organization.
  • Francfort, H. P. (2014). Fouilles de Shortughaï recherches sur l’Asie centrale protohistorique. Paris: Diffusion de Boccard.
  • Ghobar, M. G. (1989). Afghanistan on the path of history. Afghanistan: Enghelab Publishing Center in cooperation with the Republic.
  • Graber, O. (2004). Mostly miniatures: an Introduction to persian painting (M. Vahdati Daneshmand, Trans.). Tehran: Academy of Arts.
  • Graham, G. (2004). Philosophy of Arts, An Introduction to Aesthetics (M. Olya, Trans.). Tehran: Ghoghnoos.
  • Habibi, A. (1988). Tarikh-e Afqanestan Ba’d az Eslam [History of Afghanistan after Islam]. Tehran: Donya-ye Ketab.
  • Javadi, Sh. (2014). The Lost Parts of Iran Art and Civilization in the Greater Khorasanand Transpotamia – Middle Asia. Art and Civilization of the Orient, 2 (6), 10-21.
  • Kashkaki, B. (1924). Tarikh-e Afghanestan [History of Afghanistan]. Jaride-ye Haqiqat, (75), 30-37.
  • Kehzad, A. A. (1976). History of Afghanistan, from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of the Mauritanian dynasty. Kabul: Anonymous Publisher.
  • Kruglikova, T. (1979). Drevnjaja Baktrija, Materialy Sovetsko Afganskoj arkheologichesko jekspeditsii. Moskva: Izdat Nauka.
  • Kivy, P. (2001). Philosophies of Art, An Essay in Differences (M. A. H. Rafiei, Trans.). Tehran: ‌ Office of Cultural Research.
  • Mohammadzadeh, M. & Messina Asl, M. (2016). Architecture in Herat paiting school. research on Islamic architecture and urbanism, 2(2), 27-45.
  • Mohseni, M. (2014). A Brief History of Afghanistan. Kabul: Mohsen.
  • Omrani, B. (2007). Afghanistan and the Search for Unity. Asian Affairs, 38 (2), 145-157.
  • Omarzad, A. (2018). The Rise and Fall of Afghan Art in the Recent Century. Fine Arts, Kabul University, (9).
  • Pakbaz, R. (2007). Encyclopedia of Art. Tehran: Contemporary Culture.
  • Plato. (1974). Republic (R. Kaviani & M. H. Lotfi, Trans.). Tehran: Ebn-e Sina.
  • Popal, K. (2014). The Art of Architecture in Afghanistan. Retrieved March, 17 2022, From https://sporghay.com/index.php/2017-04-09-18-45-45/item/108083-2014-04-21-19-08-36
  • Rafiei Rad, R. & Amirpour, E. (2021). Matching the Representation of the Image of Women in Contemporary Painting in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Peykareh, 10 (24), 27-39.
  • Rafiei Rad, R. & Mohammadzadeh, M. (2020). The Strategies of Afghan Women Painters in Recreating and Reviving the Miniature Visual Heritage of Painting in Contemporary Painting of this Country. Scientific Journal of Greater Khorasan, (39), 1-16.
  • Rafiei Rad, R. & Tomiris, T. (2017). The function of the figure in two decades of Afghan painting. Fine Arts, Kabul University, (6).
  • Rahimi, A. K. (2010). Historical course of painting and miniature in Afghanistan. Ofogh, (38), 5-20.

Simpson, S. J. (2011). Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World. Asian Affairs, (42), 98-106.

  • Sarwary, A. Q. (2020). A Study of the Art of Painting in Kabul. Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities, 8(2), 16-26.
  • Sayar, N. (2013). How the bourgeoisie originated and grew in Afghanistan. Netherland: The Shahnameh Foundation.
  • Shahrani, E. (2014). Kablian and Kabulistan (M. R. Zamani, Ed.) Retrieved March, 17, 2022 From https://www.scribd.com/doc/220472528
  • Yavari, R. (2020). New Discoveries in Ancient Gandhara with Emphasis on the Art of Painting in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan Painting History Conference. Organized by: ECO Institute, Kabul.

 

Journal of Art and Civilization of the Orient
Volume 10, Issue 35
April 2022
Pages 13-22

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics