Mahmoud Farshchian, the legendary Iranian master of Persian miniature painting who revolutionized the traditional art form, has passed away at the age of 96 from pneumonia in a hospital in the United States on August 9, 2025. The Iranian Academy of Arts announced the death of the internationally acclaimed artist who was widely credited with modernizing Persian miniature painting and elevating Iranian art to global recognition.
Majid Shah-Hosseini, President of the Iranian Academy of Arts, expressed his condolences in a message on Saturday, describing Farshchian as a legendary painter and an everlasting figure of Iranian art. Shah-Hosseini noted that the renowned artist's death has caused deep grief in the hearts of artists and cultural figures worldwide. Farshchian was also a distinguished member of the Iranian Academy of Arts.
Born on January 24, 1930, in the historic city of Isfahan, Farshchian was the son of Gholamreza, a Persian carpet merchant. From an early age, young Mahmoud showed a profound interest in the arts and dedicated himself to studying under the guidance of masters Haji Mirza-Agha Emami and Isa Bahadori for several years. After receiving his diploma from Isfahan's High School for the Fine Arts, he traveled to Europe where he immersed himself in studying the works of Western masters of painting.
This European exposure proved instrumental in helping Farshchian refine a unique artistic voice that masterfully blended Persian mysticism with universal human themes. His works are widely credited with modernizing Persian miniature painting rooted in Iranian cultural and religious themes by combining classical forms with contemporary aesthetics, creating a distinct style that brought Iranian painting onto the global stage. He earned a doctorate in Iranian painting and Islamic arts from the High Council of Culture and Art.
Upon his return to Iran, Farshchian began working at the National Institute of Fine Arts and eventually was appointed director of the Department of National Arts. He also served as a professor at the University of Tehran's School of Fine Arts, where he influenced countless students and emerging artists. Throughout his illustrious career, his masterpieces have been exhibited in more than 160 individual and group shows across Iran, Europe, America, and various Asian countries.
Farshchian's artistic excellence has been recognized with more than 10 prestigious prizes from various art institutes and cultural centers around the world. His paintings are held in the collections of some of the world's most prestigious institutions, including the British Library, Harvard University, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Among his most celebrated and famous pieces are "Ashura Afternoon," "The Deers Grantor," "The Fifth Day of Creation," and "Kawthar."
The profound impact of Farshchian's work was perhaps best captured in remarks made in 1993 by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, who said: "Each time I look at Mr. Farshchian's painting—which he gave to me to look at a few years ago—I have cried. This is while my heart is filled with monodies of the morning and evening of Ashura."
Following the announcement of his death, condolences poured in from numerous Iranian officials and cultural figures. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi paid tribute to the master artist, stating that Farshchian "was not only a master of one of the most refined Iranian traditional arts but was also a bridge between the past and present, vividly portraying Iran's spiritual heritage and aesthetic culture to the world." Araghchi added that his everlasting works "constitute a significant part of the identity and mentality of Iranian culture and art, serve as a window into the depth of creation, history, and literature, through which the spirit of authentic Iranian art will always remain alive."
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje'i, and government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani also sent separate messages of condolences, reflecting the widespread recognition of Farshchian's immense contributions to Iranian and world art. His legacy as a master who successfully bridged traditional Persian art with contemporary global aesthetics will continue to inspire future generations of artists and art lovers worldwide.
