An Analysis of the Thematic and Structural Characteristics of Mashhadi Aghajan Lahijani’s Murals in Agha Seyed Ali’s shrine (Mote’aleq Mahalle -Lahijan)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Instructor of Painting, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
Murals in holy shrines in Guilan Province are an illustrated compendium of Shiite history and religious customs. These paintings, which are often associated with Ashura and are painted by both local and unknown artists, include visual and symbolic values in Iranian-Islamic art. This study attempts to scrutinize the thematic and structural elements of Mashhadi Aghajan Lahijani’s murals in Agha Seyed Ali’s shrine in Mote’aleq Mahalle. Moreover, this study analyzes and explores the link between stories and paintings at this sacred site. What are the thematic and structural characteristics of the murals in the aforementioned shrine? The data of the current study which are qualitative were analyzed using the descriptive-analytical method. The results demonstrate that one of the distinctive features of the murals in this shrine is the direct and explicit expression used by the artist in representing religious and folk themes. In fact, he depicted the narratives as were conceived by the lay people. By creating a harmony between the themes and the structures of the murals, he made a kind of religious and emotional connection between the audience and the work of art. Some of the structural features of his works include adherence to the two-dimensional surface, such as miniature, conventional characteristics of faces and image elements, and color harmony via multiple colors. Likewise, the thematic features of his works include the narrative of the religious story, along with the artist’s individual feelings, faith, and imagination, as well as the depiction of the position of power and victory of religious heroes, such as the pre-victorious kings, even though they will be martyred.
 

Keywords

References

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Journal of Art and Civilization of the Orient
Volume 11, Issue 42
January 2023
Pages 42-53

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