Project Title: The Art of Illustration in Lithographed Books and Other Expressions of Qajar Art

Project Abstract: In a number of publications since 1997, I have established and contributed to the study of the art of illustration in lithographed books of the Qajar period. While this hitherto neglected field of Qajar art has now been defined and documented fairly extensively, numerous details remain to be studied. Marzolph's particular interest lies in positioning the field of lithographic illustration in the general context of Qajar art. Lithographic illustration has to be compared to other expressions of "popular" art prevalent in the Qajar period, in particular illustrations on images behind glass, on stucco, on tiles, as well as on carpets or pieces of metalwork. Moreover, the extent of European influence versus inspiration drawing on the previous Persian tradition of manuscript illustration will have to be considered in detail. The result of this research contributes to an adequate assessment of the social dimension of art in the Qajar period.