Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād

Born:

c. 1450, Herat, Timurid Empire (present-day Afghanistan)

Died:

c. 1535, Herat, Safavid Empire (present-day Afghanistan)

Nationality:

Persian

Profession(s):

Painter, Miniaturist

Early Life and Education

• Details regarding Behzād's early life are scarce, and largely based on conjecture and later accounts.
• He may have been an orphan, raised in the royal library of the Timurid court.
• His artistic training is believed to have occurred under the tutelage of Pīr Sayyid Ahmad Tabrīzī, although documentation is limited.

Career and Major Achievements

• Became director of the royal workshop (kitabkhana) in Herat under Sultan Husayn Bayqara.
• Behzād revolutionized Persian miniature painting, moving away from the formal style of previous generations.
• His style is characterized by dynamic compositions, detailed figures, and vibrant colors.
• Served under Shah Ismail I, the founder of the Safavid dynasty.
• Supervised the imperial library and workshop in Tabriz for a time, though his artistic style faced criticism for its lack of Safavid elements.

Notable Works

• Illustrations for the Bustan of Sa'di.
• Illustrations for the Khamsa of Nizami.
• The Seduction of Yusuf, part of a manuscript of Sa'di's Bustan.
• Construction of the Kharnaq Palace.

Legacy and Impact

Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād is considered one of the greatest Persian painters of all time. His innovations in composition and style profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists in Persia and throughout the Islamic world. Understanding the artistic context of "kamoliddin behzod biography definition" requires acknowledging his pivotal role in the evolution of miniature painting.

List of Works (Example)

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