Retrieval of Identity Layers in Lithographed Manuscripts in Qajar Era (Case study: Thirteen Epic and Literal Manuscripts)

The concept of identity in all cultures and countries depends on religion, ideology, political and social relations and history. The identity in Artwork has different layers and each layer depends on different aspects. So in artworks, it is possible to study the identity in a different manner and each artwork might have several layers that one of them is stronger and obvious and the others are hidden. But, all the identity hidden layers will influence the artworks of obvious identity layer. Art in Qajar Era is one of the effective art periods in Iran according to social and political matters and Archaism and also widespread relations with the west has different aspects so we find several identity layers in this Era and its artworks. The questions:- What are identity layers in the visual art of Qajar Era?
- Which identity layers appeared more than other layers in Qajar Lithographed Folklore Manuscripts with Epic and Literal subjects?
The research method is descriptive-analytical, based on library sources. Statistical population includes 13 Lithographed manuscripts with Epic and Literal subjects in Qajar Era using the selection procedure.
The results show there are four identity layers: ancient Iran, Persian Islamic, Imitation of the West and Islamic manner in Qajar Era and in each type of artworks, some layers have importance.so in this case, study (Epic and Literal Manuscripts) the first layer is Imitation of the West and the second layer is ancient Iran. The 3rd layer is Persian-Islamic and Islamic manner are less important and invisible between the layers.