Miniature Painting on Old Calligraphy Paper with Gold Leaf, “Lovers” Design, Code 1030161

Persian Miniature Painting (Negargari)

The term Negargari (Persian miniature painting) refers to various styles of Iranian painting developed across different historical periods. This refined and intricate form of art could be part of a larger artistic creation, such as book illustrations or decorative and functional items, and may incorporate techniques like Gol-o-Morgh (flowers and birds), Tazhib (illumination), and Tash’ir (marginal ornamentation). Alternatively, it can appear as an independent artwork on canvases, albums (Moragha’), or murals.

Negargari was traditionally used to embellish literary, scientific, and medical manuscripts or created independently as collectible artworks. The naming of Persian miniature schools is typically based on the dominant imperial centers of the time.

Notable schools of Persian miniature painting (in historical order) include:

• Baghdad School
• Seljuk School
• First Tabriz School
• Jalayirid School
• First Shiraz School
• Herat School
• Second Shiraz School
• Second Tabriz School
• Isfahan School
• Qajar School

Today, Negargari is applied to a wide range of surfaces such as walls, wooden boxes, pen cases, bone, wood, and papier-mâché. It also decorates paper, fabric, leather, and cardboard, continuing to beautify both traditional and modern interiors.