Persian through History of Art Texts

Service Description

This 10-week advanced Persian course strengthens students’ ability to read and analyze sophisticated Persian prose through foundational texts on the history, theory, and practice of Iranian art. Focusing on Persian treatises and art-related writings such as manuals of calligraphy and painting, artists’ biographies (tazkira), architectural descriptions, and courtly reflections on aesthetics; the course trains students to engage directly with technical vocabulary, stylistic conventions, and evaluative discourse in art history. Emphasis is placed on close reading, genre awareness, and contextual interpretation. The course is especially beneficial for advanced Persian learners, graduate students, and scholars of art history, Islamic art, Iranian studies, and manuscript culture who seek direct access to Persian art discourse in original sources. ​​ Week 1: Khamsa (The Competition of the Two Painters) — Nizami Ganjavi Week 2: Vaqf-nameh-ye Rab'-e Rashidi (The Endowment Deed of the Rashidiyya) — Rashid al-Din Hamadani Week 3: Arayes al-Jawahir va Nafayes al-Atayeb (Treatise on Ceramics and Glazes) — Abul-Qasim Kashani Week 4: Miftah al-Hisab (Architectural Geometry and Calculations) — Ghiyath al-Din Jamshid al-Kashi Week 5: Jawahir al-Akhbar (The Section on Painters and Scribes) — Budagh Qazvini Week 6: The Arzadasht (The Report of the Library-Atelier of Herat) — Ja'far Baysunghuri Week 7: Tazkira-ye Humayun va Akbar (Accounts of the Royal Painters) — Bayazid Bayat Week 8: Ketab al-Sana'at (The Manual of Illumination and Gilding) — Mirza Mohammad-Ali Mozahheb Week 9: Ma'arif al-Khat (Treatise on Calligraphic Mastery and History) — Mirza Sanglakh Week 10: Majma' al-Sanaye' (The Encyclopedia of Visual and Industrial Arts) — Mohammad Hassan Khan * The course starts during the first week of October and concludes in the second week of December, spanning 10 weeks (10 sessions). The exact days and times will be scheduled based on the availability of both the instructor and the learners. * Once learners enroll, Silk Road Academy will coordinate the class schedule, process payments, and manage administrative details. * Silk Road Academy can issue invoices so learners can request reimbursement from their affiliated universities or institutions. * Class days and times may be adjusted in accordance with the request of enrollees. * Registered participants will receive full access to recorded session videos and all course materials.