Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 associate professor at alzhara uni head of art university
2 Master's student in Painting, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of Art, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The fish motif, as one of the types of aquatic motifs alongside the element of water in Iranian painting, has various and multi-layered symbolic meanings. This motif, which has been represented in various forms in the history of Iranian art; in addition to its visual aesthetic aspects, has symbolic meanings that are linked to the religious, mythological, and cultural beliefs of Iranian society. In this article, the symbolic themes of the fish motif in selected paintings from the Ilkhanid to Safavid schools have been examined. The aim of the research, in addition to stating the history of the implementation of the fish motif in Iranian art works and reviewing the structural features of this motif, is to examine the symbolic meanings of the aforementioned motif in selected paintings from Iranian painting schools. The question here is: What symbolic themes and visual features did the fish motif have in the paintings? In addition, in which parts of the history of Iranian art can the roots of these symbolic meanings be sought? How has the visual evolution of the fish motif in paintings been? The collection of this material has been carried out using a library and documentary method, with a historical approach and a descriptive-analytical method. The results of the research show that, in Iranian painting, the fish is not only a symbol of life, blessing, and stability, but also acts as a mediator between the earthly and spiritual worlds and has played an important role in explaining the worldview of Iranian artists. Although this motif has not played a frequent role in painting, in cases where it has been used, it has often played a key role in the visual narrative of the painting. However, in a more general view, this motif is an influential and meaningful element in the compositional structure of paintings, and its presence, often beyond the decorative aspect, carries symbolic concepts that add to the semantic richness of the work.
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