Persian teahouses have served various functions in different eras of their 400-year history. They used to be placed where men gathered to spend their leisure time listening to naqqals (Iranian traditional storytellers) reciting Shahnameh, a magnum opus by the renowned classical Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi, which were depicted on paintings hung on the walls of the teahouses. It was in the teahouses that people talked and exchanged views and together with lutis (wise and generous people) helped the poor.

The art of teahouse painting emerged from within such an atmosphere.

Teahouse painters listened to the discussions and tales and used them as subjects for their paintings.

They also enjoyed a unique perspective and painted imaginary scenes using epics, traditions and religion as the themes for their artwork drawn on the walls.

Teahouse painting is a form of art which embodies some elements of miniature painting.

The works painted in this style mostly depict religious and national events.

Religious stories and Iranian epic legends feature prominently in this distinct style of visual arts.

With their own unique perspective, artists of this genre draw motifs based entirely on their imagination

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts is considered to have the largest collection of valuable Western modern art outside of Europe and the United States.

The Museum has displayed a rare collection of traditional Tea House Paintings which attracted a great number of art lovers and enthusiasts to the modern museum building.

The poster of a teahouse painting exhibition that opened at Tehran’s Imam Ali (AS) Religious Arts Museum

Famous teahouse painters are Hasan Esmaeilzadeh, Fathollah Ghollar Aghasi, Mohammad Farahani, Mohammad Hamidi, Mostafa Hamidi, Mohammad Modabber, Hossein Hamedani, Abbas Boloukifar, Akbar Khalili, Mohammad Hamidi

Mohammad Hamidi

Text & pictures: InternetArangement: Sanda Foişoreanu

Sound: Ostâd Ali-Naqi Vaziri - Selection Of Work