The Evolution of Persian Painting: From the Fall of the Safavid Dynasty to the Rise of Qajar Art

In addition to court commissions, art began to flourish in urban and public spaces. Coffeehouse painting emerged as a popular genre during the Qajar era, depicting scenes from epic literature like the Shahnameh and popular religious stories. These large, colorful paintings were accessible to the general public and reflected a democratization of artistic themes and audiences.