Arts of Iran

The Arts of Iran include a variety of traditional disciplines, including architecture, painting, literature, music, weaving, pottery, calligraphy, and metalwork.

Today, there is an active modern Iranian art scene, including cinema and photography. For a history of Persian visual art up to the early 20th century, see Persian art or Iranian architecture.

The art of rug weaving has its roots in the culture and customs of Persia. Weavers mix patterns with a wide variety of colors, which are usually extracted from wildflowers. The Iranian carpets often depict Persian gardens: full of flora, birds, and beasts.^{[citation needed]}

Rug fabric is often washed in tea to soften its texture. Patterns and designs vary depending on the type of fabric and where it is made. Some rugs, such as Gabbeh and Gelim, have variations in their textures and visual features (e.g. number of knots). Out of about 2 million Iranians who work in the trade, 1.2 million are weavers, producing the largest amount of hand woven artistic carpets in the world. In 2002, Iranian carpet exports totalled $517 million.

The craftsmanship and quality in weaving these carpets and silken textiles caught the attention of the likes of Xuanzang, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, and Jean Chardin.^{[citation needed]}

Oriental historian Basil Gray believes Iran (Persia) "has a unique art that is excellent in its kind."

Caves in Iran's Lorestan province exhibit painted imagery of animals and hunting scenes. Some, such as those in Fars province and Sialk, are believed to be at least 5,000 years old.

Painting in Iran is thought to have reached its historical climax to the outside word's consensus during the Tamerlane era when masters such as Kamaleddin Behzad invented a new style of painting in the Persian miniature.