Lot 75: Triptych: War, Love and Escape

FARAH OSSULI (IRANIAN, B. 1953)
Triptych: War, Love and Escape
each signed and dated '89 FARAH OSSOULI' and signed and dated again in Farsi (lower right)
gouache and gold and silver paint on card
Each: 28 x 19in. (71.5 x 48.5cm.)
Painted in 1989

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE TEHRAN COLLECTION


In the dualistic philosophy of Zoroastrian religion of Ancient Iran, Truth always prevails over Lies and Deceit. In this eternal war between good and evil, the confrontation is represented by Ahura Mazda, the god of Truth and Ahriman, the symbolic demon of Lies and Deceit.

Despite her strict compliance with the characteristics of traditional miniature painting, Farah Ossuli avoids reproducing the exact replicas of the old miniatures. The modern ambiance of her miniatures leaves out the obsolete elements that have no place in the present era. Moreover, subjects such as mythology and life itself, which are beyond time and space, complement the elaborately-painted traditional miniatures.
Ossuli's miniatures are partially inspired by Persian poetry, and more particularly the lyrics its great exponent Hafez. The philosophical aspects observed in her paintings render a valuable dimension and distinguish her style from mere objective and superficial modernization. She is attracted to the principle of Persian visual tradition, without denying the values of the Western art.