Iranian Miniature is one of the brilliant artwork from Iran's past culture. Some scholars said that the origin of such paintings in Iran dates back to the Achaemenid period, while this art can be found inside caves. Examples have been discovered in Lorestan province caves. Attention has been paid to the depiction of battle scenes, hunting, and animals.
From 7,000 years ago, cylindrical pottery and beads, and signs of agate and jade are available, which Iranian designers and painters have painted human and animal motifs in various forms with the utmost mastery. Apart from the art of painting, these motifs also show the art of engraving. These great paintings have been created on surfaces that are no more than a few centimeters in size. The basis of Iranian miniatures can be considered as engraving and painting of these beads. One can be familiar with the characteristics of Iranian painting in the samples of bronze found in Lorestan province, and the carvings in the Achaemenid period. The decoration of the Apadana palace of Susa with glazed bricks, related to the period of Darius I, also shows Iranian painting in ancient times.
The art of Iranian painting was inscribed in 2020 on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Miniature or painting is a two-dimensional, delicate and small painting that is mostly known for illustrating the books of the greats of Persian literature, but in addition to books, it also uses these beautiful patterns and drawings in designing carpets, clothes, pottery, and decorating the walls of palaces and buildings. In the process of designing exquisite old miniatures, which were mainly commissioned by rulers, materials such as gold and silver were also used. The main difference between Iranian painting and other common painting styles in the world is realism and naturalism. The basis of painting in Iran is the connection with the realm of the kingdom. Landscaping in Iranian painting is imaginative and legendary. In the gardens, it always seems like a spring festival.
Islamic art emerged after the expansion of Islam in Iran and other parts of the world when it had an impact on the cultures of different nations. The first works of Iranian painting in the Islamic era appeared in the form of designs in architectural works and objects consumed by people, then the creation of paintings on the book, which later individual brings creativity in the process.
One of the most important books depicted in different periods of Islamic-Iranian art is the Ferdowsi's Shahnameh.