German veteran expert in Islamic art Robert Hillenbrand will deliver a lecture Wednesday in London about ‘Architecture in Medieval Persian Painting: Fact or Fantasy.’
Hillenbrand will try to explain how Persian painters tackled both the depiction of architecture and the actual process of construction. Several scholars have studied the first topic, but very few have investigated the second. In neither case is the term ‘realism’ appropriate, but the conventions for depicting architecture in Persian painting are a fascinating study in themselves, while close analysis of later medieval paintings of workmen on building sites reveals many surprises, according to the website of the organizing foundation, Iranheritage.org
The lecture will show how comfortably Iranian painters operated within what to a western eye might seem like constricting conventions.
Hillenbrand’s scholarly interests focus on Islamic architecture, painting and iconography, with particular reference to Iran and Syria.
The event is organized by the Iran Heritage Foundation at Asia House, No. 63, New Cavendish Street.
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