Architectural decoration under Shah 'Abbas
Date
1981
Authors
Cavanaugh, Julianne E. (Julianne Edith)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In 1006/1597-8, Shah 'Abbas I moved his capital from Qazvin to Isfahan, and implemented the construction of a complex of buildings around a great square, or Maydan. Four of these structures were chosen for study: the 'Ali Qapu on the west, which began as the guard gate to the palace precincts and became a center for public receptions; the Shaykh Lotfollah Mosque, on the east side of the square; the Masjid-i- Shah, the congregational mosque at the south end; and the Maydan wall as a whole, the Qaysariya Bazaar portal and the bazaar complex to the north. The last group of structures is taken as a whole as it is the embodiment of the commercial center of the plan.
Several aspects of each building are examined: the form, the decorative plan, and the function. The decoration on the buildings is carefully designed and uses a variety of media. Following an outline of the governmental structure and society, hypotheses are advanced about the significance of each part of the above analysis, and conclusions are drawn about the symbolic nature of each building.
From this analysis it can be seen that the structures of the Maydan complex have symbolic meanings central to the Safavid monarchy, and function both as working architecture and as propaganda for the state. Within the Maydan, called Nags-e Jahan Square, or Picture-of-the- World, are buildings associated with theology, law, religion, and the secular functions of the state. These symbols are carefully defined by the decorations on the buildings (or the lack of decoration), and while the style of the decorations is consistent, the compositions vary widely according to the function and wider meaning of the building.