Seminars

  • Founded
    1987
  • Seminar Number
    615

The purpose of these monthly gatherings is to present and promote new research in Iranian studies from pre- Islamic times to the present. The seminar provides an opportunity for scholars and researchers in the greater metropolitan area to meet regularly and exchange views and discuss the topics of their research interests.


Chair
Mahnaz Moazami
mm1754@columbia.edu

Marisa McCrone
m.mccrone@yahoo.com

Rapporteur
Angie Tao Henon
ath2149@columbia.edu

Meeting Schedule

09/26/2023 Faculty House, Columbia University
5:00 PM
The Deep Blue Beards of the Achaemenids: Hairy Matters in Studying Ancient Persian Art
Alexander Nagel, Fashion Institute of Technology
Abstract

Abstract

Recent scientific analysis and investigation into the surface of stone monuments at Persepolis and relief fragments from the site confirm that the now grey facades were once brightly painted. This talk provides an introduction into ongoing research and highlights recent results of these scientific investigations by focusing mainly on the role of facial hair and attitudes of official court art towards the presentation of rulers such as Darius I and Xerxes I. The talk also contextualizes research on pigments from the facades of monuments on sites such as Persepolis, Pasargadae, and Susa within a wider socio-cultural framework by addressing aspects of modern iconographical studies about official Achaemenid court art. A survey of approaches investigating the polychromies on ancient West Asian monuments and its modern reception highlights interesting historiographical aspects and helps us as we continue to engage with the making of the mineral universe of Achaemenid Persia.





10/26/2023 Faculty House, Columbia University
5:00 PM

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11/14/2023 Faculty House, Columbia University
5:00 PM

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02/20/2024 Faculty House, Columbia University
5:00 PM

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03/19/2024 Faculty House, Columbia University
5:00 PM

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04/23/2024 Faculty House, Columbia University
5:00 PM

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