Untitled
In this period, Arabshahi was interested in combining elements of Iran’s ancient, pre-Islamic arts with the technological advances being pushed through under the banner of nation-building. Rather than focus on a specific era or civilization, the artist drew loosely from Babylonian, Achaemenid and Assyrian sources. His works are often divided into rows in the style of ancient frieze reliefs. Cuneiform markings are evoked by the pseudo-script that is just visible behind the figures. Ancient motifs such as the rosette—a circle with spokes—or the disk symbolizing the solar deity Shamash appear frequently in Arabshahi’s paintings. Moreover, the artist’s use of prints, multiple paint layers, loose brushstrokes, and the selective application of metallic paints combine to lend the work the surface texture and air of an artifact. At the same time, many of the archaizing elements of the work double as references to a futuristic, technologically driven future. The metallic paints evoke metal surfaces. The stiff, featureless figures in the paintings look more like robots than people, and the composition’s stacked layers seem to embed them in factory assembly lines or large, cog-driven machines.
Artwork Details
- Title: Untitled
- Artist: Massoud Arabshahi (Iranian, born Tehran 1935–2019 Tehran)
- Date: 1962–64
- Culture: Iran
- Medium: Silver and copper metallic paints and oil paint on paper
- Dimensions: 37 3/4 × 28 1/2 in. (95.9 × 72.4 cm)
- Classification: Works on Paper
- Credit Line: Gift of the heirs of Eric and Sheila Azari, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2020
- Object Number: 2020.33.5
- Rights and Reproduction: © Massoud Arabshahi
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Massoud Arabshahi
1962–64
Massoud Arabshahi
1986
Massoud Arabshahi
1962–64
Massoud Arabshahi
1962–64
Bahman Mohassess
1966
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.