The Effect of Political and Social Conditions on Visualization of the Book of Kings during the Muzzafarid EraCase Study: The Battle of Rostam and Sohrab

The reign of Al-Muzaffar was short and full of chaos and unrest, but in this short period, Shiraz painting school has entered a new phase of development under the protection of Al-Muzaffar. Different visual sense in the paintings of the battle of Rostam and Sohrab in Al-Muzaffar Shahnameh reminds the fact that the political and social situation in this period might have led to change in the course of visualization of Rostam and Sohrab battle.
The study aimed at investigating infrastructures like content and visual elements in the battle of Rostam and Sohrab in Shahnameh of Al-Muzaffar Shiraz school, to explore the similarities and differences, as well as understanding the impact of political and social conditions of that time in the visualization of this battle. The main question is: Has change in the political and social situation of Al-Muzaffar period led to development in the visualization of Rostam and Sohrab battle
? In order to answer this question the present study is arranged in four main sections: 1. Introduction to political and social conditions in Al-e Muzaffar regime 2. Shahnameh visualization in Al-e Muzaffar regime 3. A synopsis of Rostam and Sohrab battle 4. Impact of al-Muzaffar political and social conditions on the visualization of the Rostam and Sohrab battle.
This study has expressed the issue using theoretical, descriptive, analytical and adaptive methods. The results of the research indicate that the painters in this period have dramatized the story consistent with the political developments and conditions of their own society and this point is particularly obvious in landscaping, iconography, creating atmosphere (mood), designing, angle of viewing, and combination of the works.