A Thematic Study of the Images of Fālnāma-yi Tahmāsbī Manuscript, a Masterpiece of Shī ī Art of the Safavid Period

A part of the core concept of the Iranian images manuscript, particularly from the 10th century onwards are focused on representation of the themes of interest and emphasis to Shi’ism. In the meantime, Fālnāma-yi Tahmāsbī manuscript, which was produced during the dominance of Shi’ism discourse in the reign of Shah Tahmāsb, is a manuscript worth deliberation both in terms of theme and concept. It seems that the approach of the painters of this manuscript has been inclined toward representing the Islamic and Shi‘ī themes and contents based on the beliefs and traditions concerning Shi’ism discourse. Thus, this article is intended to thematically describe and analyze the images of this manuscript in line with the beliefs, traditions, and narrations of Shi’ism discourse. The findings of this research show that a selection of doctrines and important events of Islam and Shi’ism, the Qur’anic and religious stories that somehow represent the reality and righteousness of Shiism are illustrated in Fālnāma-yi Tahmāsbī manuscript. The important point is that there are some noteworthy signs, symbols, and pictorial preparations used in some of the images of this manuscript representing the beliefs and discourses of Shi’ism discourse that make it outstanding among religious manuscripts.