Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad

Miniature Painter, Gilding, Carpet Designer

The History of Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad

Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad was born in 1266 (1887) in the city of Tabriz into a religious family. Therefore, due to the unfavorable conditions of the time and his parents' views, he secretly learned to paint under the guidance of Mr. Mirghaffar, who was one of the most famous painters of that time. His interest in caricature occasionally led him to collaborate with the Mollanasral-Din newspaper, and to further his knowledge, he studied for three years at the Tbilisi School of Fine Arts.

Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad traveled to Istanbul after a while and learned painting at the current Academy of Fine Arts under Ottoman and Italian masters. He became the top student in painting. Behzad also studied miniature and illumination at the Istanbul Calligraphy School and was appointed to the task of restoring ancient miniature books at the Ottoman Ministry of Endowments and Museums in Istanbul. After a while, he worked at the Turkish Carpet Weaving School. Even the Emperor of Austria and Hungary, as a token of appreciation for receiving one of his works, presented a gold pin with the Austrian royal emblem to the master.

Taherzadeh Behzad returned to Tehran with his family in 1308 (circa 1890 CE) and initially served as the head of the drawing department at the Carpet Institute. Later, he was appointed head of the Department of Ancient Industries and the School of Fine Arts. Behzad founded the Museum of Fine Arts, also known as the National Arts, and spent several years creating large paintings and decorations for the Marble Palace and other palaces.

The Abilities of Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad

Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad is one of the few individuals who has created a plethora of carpet and gilding designs, working across various styles. He has even designed patterns based on prevalent styles in other cities. Today, his works are used as educational models in carpet and gilding design centers. Behzad, in designing carpets, has ingeniously utilized the techniques of Motif Islamic and Khatai, with the remarkable features of his works characterized by intricate compositions and elaborate twists and turns. He was innovative in combining various designs and consistently adhered to traditional patterns.

Hossein Taherzadeh Behza traveled to Germany for a year and worked on the preparation of illustrations for several books for Iranian publishers, including The Book of One Thousand and One Nights. In 1324 AH (circa 1945 CE), due to heart disease, he resigned from his position and participated as Iran's representative at the International Exhibition in Izmir, Turkey. Later, at the invitation of the Turkish Ministry of Culture, he was employed as a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul and spent several years teaching traditional arts there.

Hossein Taherzadeh Behzad was a prominent Iranian artist who dedicated himself to preserving, revitalizing, and teaching traditional Iranian painting and design, particularly in miniature, illumination, and carpet design. More than 400 articles on art, miniature paintings, watercolors, oil paintings, carpet designs, and gilding works by He have been left behind.