Draft:Sasanian wall painting

Sample in Tajikistan

Wall paintings found in the region once ruled by the Sasanian Empire (224–650 CE) are considered part of Sasanian art. Although their main role was to decorate buildings, these paintings also had a deeper purpose: they showed the values, power, and worldview of the Sasanian elite. Compared to other types of Sasanian art—like rock reliefs, coins, and silverware—these paintings have received less attention, mostly because only a few examples have survived. They were discovered at seven sites in modern-day Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Sasanian wall paintings were not very different from earlier Parthian art, and they influenced later cultures, including Central Asian art and early Islamic murals. Paintings from Buddhist sites and Islamic buildings like Qaṣr al-Ḥayr and Samarra show clear Sasanian artistic influence.

Although fragile and often found only in pieces, these wall paintings are an important part of Sasanian public and political art. Most show secular themes like war, hunting, or portraits of nobility, all meant to impress visitors and support royal authority. They were placed in audience halls, palaces, or private homes with public functions. The techniques used included secco (painting on dry plaster) and fresco (on wet plaster). Materials varied: plaster made from loam, mud, or stucco. However, little is known about the painters themselves—whether they were official artists or hired craftsmen.

In short, Sasanian murals were more than decoration—they reflected the power, culture, and values of one of the great empires of the ancient world.

• At Gōr (Firuzābād) in Iran, a mural was found that likely shows four members of the royal family. It is believed to date back to the reign of Ardašir I, the first Sasanian king. It was found in a building that might have been a palace.

• At Dura-Europos in Syria, a mural shows a battle scene with horsemen, archers, and resting figures. It is believed to date from around 253–256 CE, possibly showing the victory of Shapur I, a powerful Sasanian king. This mural was placed to catch the attention of visitors and to demonstrate the military strength of the Sasanians.

• In Susa, Iran, fragments of a hunting scene were found in a large building. The figures are twice life-size, with images of stars, clouds, and the moon. Hunting was a common activity among the Sasanian nobility, and such scenes were meant to show royal leisure and power. Some experts think the painting is from the 4th century, while others think it is older, from the Parthian era.

• At Ayvān-e Kerkha, paintings showing human figures were found in a triple ayvān, a kind of large hall used in royal architecture. The paintings date to the second half of the 4th century. They may have been used to highlight the status and power of the monarch, especially because this space was likely used for official ceremonies.

• In Hajiabad, Iran, two rooms had wall paintings showing faces, combat scenes, and floral designs. A large portrait likely shows the owner of the house, while two smaller ones may show the Kushano-Sasanian ruler Hormozd I and his subordinate. These paintings were placed in audience halls and showed the social and political connections of the household with the Sasanian rulers.

• At Tepe Hissar, murals were found in what may have been a noble residence during the reign of Kavad I (488–531 CE). They show at least one horseman and were probably meant to reflect elite status.

• In Ctesiphon, Iraq (the Sasanian capital), paintings of life-size figures and birds were discovered in a house from the 6th or 7th century. Nearby, a bathhouse in the royal palace had walls decorated with colorful motifs, which may have had symbolic meanings.

Resources

• SASANIAN WALL PAINTING iranicaonline.org

Bibliography

• W. Andrae and H. Lenzen, Die Partherstadt Assur, Wissenschaftliche Veröffentlichung der Deutschen Orient-Gesellschaft 57, Leipzig, 1933.
• M. Azarnoush, The Sasanian Manor House at Hājīābād, Iran, Monografie di Mesopotamia 3, Florence, 1994.
• G. Azarpay, Sogdian Painting: The Pictorial Epic in Oriental Art, Berkeley, 1981.
• A. D. H. Bivar, “The History of Eastern Iran,” Camb. Hist. Iran III, 1, pp. 181-231.

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• Sasanian art
• Ancient Near East art and architecture
• Persian art
• Iranian art