Shah 'Abbas - The Remaking Of Iran DVD

In February 2009 the British Museum opened the first major exhibition to explore the rule and legacy of Shah 'Abbas one of the formative figures in the creation of modern Iran. Shah of Iran from 1587 - 1629 AD he is remembered as one of the country's most influential kings and a great military leader ruling Iran at a time of political renewal when it succeeded in positioning itself as a world power with a sharply defined national identity. Shah 'Abbas came to the throne in 1587 the fifth ruler of the Safavid Dynasty. Through trade patronage and diplomacy Shah 'Abbas... fostered good relations with Europe and ushered in a golden period in the arts commissioning beautiful works of art and grand architecture. He was a great builder and restorer of major monuments across the country and this architectural legacy provides the context in which to explore the themes of his reign including luxurious gold-ground carpets exquisite Chinese porcelains illustrated manuscripts watercolour paintings metalwork and beautiful silks objects similar to those Shah 'Abbas gave to important religious sites across Iran. The famous calligrapher Ali Riza 'Abbasi was a key figure throughout Shah 'Abbas's reign and examples of his work feature prominently. Shah 'Abbas was a man with a strong sense of personal piety; though Shiism was declared the state religion of Iran in 1501 it was Shah 'Abbas who consolidated its preeminence through the rule of law and the suppression of heterodox Shi'i sects and extremist dervish orders. The clerics in the circle of Shah 'Abbas established the parameters of Shi'i orthodoxy and in so doing strengthened the role of the religious elite throughout Iran. In association with The Iran Heritage Foundation this program features extraordinary loans never before seen outside of Iran alongside loans from Europe and the US. [show more]

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