The fascination of Persia : the Persian-European dialogue in seventeenth-century art & contemporary art from Tehran / edited by Axel Langer ; [translations, Tradukas GbR, Nancy Atakan].

Catalog of an exhibition held at Museum Rietberg Z�urich, Sept. 27, 2013-Jan. 12, 2014.

Essays by Rudolph P. Matthee, Cyrus Ala'i, Birgitt Borkopp-Restle, Paulina Banas, Michael Chagnon, Gary Schwarz, Jennifer M. Scarce, Claudia Swan, Susann Wintsch, and Axel Langer.

"Since the early 17th century, Europe and Persia have been weaving bonds of friendship. A legendary place between Europe and Asia, Persia became the longed-for destination of many travelers, tradesmen, and friars and knights of various orders. They brought works of art and luxury goods with them and took finest silks and precious rugs back home. This exchange has left traces in European and Persian art of the 17th and early 18th centuries. Only few people today are aware of these once good, friendly relationships. The dispute on nuclear weapons and the regime's political repression and religious fundamentalism dominate our perception of Iran. Yet despite of these difficult circumstances, modern Tehran has a rich and vibrant artistic life. This book documents the Persian-European artistic dialogue over four centuries. In particular it presents work by seven contemporary artists from Tehran and thus provides an insight into a new modern Persia in exchange with the global art world."--Publisher description.

Includes bibliographical references.

Iran's relations with Europe in the Safavid Period: diplomats, missionaries, merchants, and travel / Rudolph P. Matthee -- The work of European cartographers in mapping Persia or Iran in the seventeenth century and earlier / Cyrus Ala'l -- Safavid dress and Europe / Jennifer M. Scarce -- The Sherleys and the Shah: Persia as the stakes in a rogue's gambit / Gary Schwartz -- Lost in translation: exoticism in early modern Holland / Claudia Swan -- Persian art and the crafting of Polish identity / Paulina Banas -- Persian and Polish sashes: symbols of national identity and luxury textiles in an international market / Birgitt Borkopp-Restle -- Between court and company: Dutch artists in Persia / Gary Swartz -- European influences on seventeenth-century Persian painting: of handsome Europeans, naked ladies, and Parisian timepieces / Axel Langer -- "Cloath'd in several modes": oil-on-canvas painting and the iconography of human variety in early modern Iran / Michael Chagnon -- I can't get no sleep: contemporary art in Tehran / Susann Wintsch.