Position of Water in Ibrahim Mirza’s Haft Awrang Miniatures Version

Given the position of water and its symbolic function in ancient beliefs and Islamic sources, the paper aims to exploreand analyze the visual effects of the invaluable element in Haft Awrang miniatures by Ibrahim Mirza. In addition tothe study of conceptual aspect of water in this set, the existence of diverse layouts in the display of different forms ofwater provides suitable foundation for conducting a formal study into it. The aim of the paper is to recognize differentlayouts of water and explore the reasons for the diversity, as well as the conceptual function of water in these works;furthermore, it aims to illustrate how the diversity could made a difference to the suitable structure and compositionand also better understanding of Jami’s lyrics. The results of the research, which was conducted in a descriptiveanalyticalmethod, indicate that patient artist used certain forms in depicting water based on theme and place of storyin order to get across meaning and concept under consideration better and establish a better match between form andcontent of work, since Haft Awrang paintings substantially depend on the literary text of Haft Awrang. Diversityof water effects in a variety of miniatures at times benefits the general structure of the miniature and works as aninfluential factor in matching various elements of it; in some instances, how it is positioned and the choice of a goodand purposeful position for it in the miniature board could assist artist in communicating meaning and concept.

Keywords:

Persian miniature , Water in miniature , Mashhad School , Jami’s Haft Awrang , Ibrahim Mirza