29 Mar 2024
Sunday 5 November 2017 - 11:01
Story Code : 282022

The man who broke the ice between US, Iran during nuclear talks



Sputnik - The Iran nuclear deal has recently been in the spotlight due to Donald Trump's criticism and his threats to walk away. However, back in 2015, there must have been something that thawed the tensions between Iranian and American delegations. Sputnik Iran found out what it might have been.




Mahmoud Farshchian, a 87-year-old master ofPersian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all overthe world. His vivid and perceptive artworks combine the classic canons ofhis national school, which is based onPersian classical poetry, and the traits ofWestern schools ofpainting.




[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1100"]Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks. PHOTO: MAHMOUD FARSHCHIAN Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks.[/caption]





On numerous occasions, his paintings have been given asprecious gifts and assymbols ofIranian art torenowned politicians athigh-profile meetings and summits. John Kerry, the 68th US Secretary ofState (2013-2017) is amongthose tohave been honored withone ofFarshchian's pieces.
Many still believe that this very art piece helped tobreak the ice betweenthe Iranian and American delegations duringone ofthe rounds ofnegotiations overthe Iranian nuclear program back in2015, which ended upwith the Joint Comprehensive Plan ofAction (JCPOA), commonly known asthe Iran nuclear deal.







[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1010"]Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks. PHOTO: MAHMOUD FARSHCHIAN Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks.[/caption]





In October 2016,Iran Front Page website reportedthat Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif unexpectedly gave Farshchian's masterpiece, which was supposed tobe given toFrench officials, asa gift toKerry.

Citing a post ofParviz Esmaeili, the deputy forcommunications and information atPresident Hassan Rouhanis office, inhis Telegram channel, the website said that Iran's top diplomat accompanied it withthe followingcomments:




[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1058"]Farshchian Art MAHMOUD FARSHCHIAN Farshchian Art[/caption]





"These miniatures are 1mx1m paintings. But if you go toMaster Farshchians atelier inNew Jersey, US, he will give you a magnifier tosee all the details ofthe main painting and become even more surprised. Remember! When Iranians are so much accurate and precise intheir work and pay so much attention tothe details, do not ever claim, withoutconvincing argument, that their calculations are wrong, he said inapparent reference tothe much argued aboutcalculations ofIran's nuclear activities.


Nowadays, the Iranian master is trying touse his miniatures toattract the attention ofthe international community toglobal and Iranian ecological problems, such asthe drying outof the zayanderud, the largest Iranian river inhis native city ofIsfahan.




[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1100"]Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks. PHOTO: MAHMOUD FARSHCHIAN Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks.[/caption]





In his interview withSputnik Persian,Mahmoud Farshchian talked abouthis artworks and explained that although his pieces are called miniatures, which are usually small-sized two-dimensional images, he tries toadd more depth and volume tohis paintings. Some oftheir storylines are inspired byPersian poetry, and others byhuman emotions, feelings and his own thoughts and associations.

The master revealed that he is currently working ona painting toillustrate the Quranic verse ofYusuf (Joseph) and Zulaikha. In his version ofthe tale, Yusuf comes toan old, blind and miserable Zulaikha, covers her head withgarments, and she becomes revived: young, beautiful and able tosee again.




[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1033"]Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks. PHOTO: MAHMOUD FARSHCHIAN Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks.[/caption]





One ofhis other paintings depicts a battle betweengood and evil, where good, needless tosay, definitely wins.
"All ofmy storylines directly arise frommy consciousness, my thoughts and associations. It is a very hard and time consuming work. With regards toYusuf and Zulaikha, forexample, I want toillustrate Zulaikha's emotions, onthe one hand, and Yusuf's inner strength, which helped him toperform a miracle ofrevival, onthe other," Mahmoud Farshchian told Sputnik.


He further revealed that he is currently residing inthe US, buthis place ofliving does not affect his artwork ashe finds inspiration solely inhis inner feelings.




[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="2048"]Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks. PHOTO: MAHMOUD FARSHCHIAN Mahmoud Farshchian, 87-year-old master of Persian miniature art, is well-known and recognized all over the world for his artworks.[/caption]





"It does not matter where I live, what do I do or what I think about. I've been working very much and a number ofmy paintings have been made outsideIran. If a person who takes interest infine art does understand my artwork, there is absolutely no difference forme whether he is Iranian or any other national. It is only important that he feels a spiritual bond withmy painting and understands its message," the master explained.

Mahmoud Farshchiannoted that he does not teach his art style, however he mentors several aspiring artists who show him their artwork and ask forhis opinion. The painter is convinced that the next generations ofartists will be able not only preserve this art form butto develop it further. However they have tounderstand that they need towork hard and constantly try tofind the unknown withinthemselves and inthe world aroundthem, he concluded.

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