A Comparative Study of the Icon

The Quranic narration of the ascension of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most common Shiite theme in Iranian-islamic iconography which has always provided a suitable ground for the creativity of Iranian iconographers. The icon "On the Way to Jerusalem" from Shahrokhi account of the Ascension, illustrated in Timuri period and the Ascension Icon by Soltan Mohammad, drawn in Safavi period, are viewed as incomparable "Roqeh"s in religious arts area which while taking advantage of iconography techniques of their ages, contain the figurative elements of the Prophet (PBUH), Gabriel and Buraq. Accordingly, this article aims to find the common structural elements of the two icons and the Shiite elements which influenced the common structures of the two icons. Initially, based on documentary and library analyses, two icons from two different periods were selected and studied from the perspectives of the structure and composition. Afterwards, the influential Shiite elements on these common structures such as the view of the iconographer toward Muhammad light and the complete man were investigated. Through an analytical-descriptive method, this paper is seeking to find the structural similarities and differences of the two icons and the influential Shiite elements of the two icons. The results indicate that in both icons, it is Muhammad light which in Shiite vision is the desirable grace of the perfect man and this complete man has been depicted in the presence of the holy Prophet (PBUH) in the same way, but through two different works.