Young Afghan women revive Herat’s classical painting techniques
Students say they want to expand ancient arts of illumination and miniature
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV)— A group of young female artists in Herat is working to preserve one of Afghanistan’s most treasured cultural traditions: the Herat school of miniature painting and illumination.
Rooted in the Timurid era and pioneered by legendary artist Kamal-ud-Din Behzad, the Herat school represents over 600 years of refined artistic expression. Now, a new generation of girls is dedicating themselves to this intricate art form, determined to keep their cultural identity alive.
With limited access to formal educational opportunities, these girls have turned their focus toward mastering these demanding visual arts—where patience, precision, and deep historical knowledge are essential.
According to TOLOnews, the students see their work not just as creative practice but as cultural responsibility. “We want to expand and develop the ancient Herat-style arts of illumination and miniature with the cooperation of our teachers, fellow students, and colleagues,” said Arezo Mohandeszada, one of the students.
Each piece of artwork takes days or even weeks to complete. The process requires unwavering attention to detail, but the students say their passion sustains them. “This art requires attention to fine detail and takes a lot of time,” said Farsila Noorzai. “But when I work on miniature and illumination art, I never feel tired.”
Mona Ziaee, another aspiring artist, said her motivation comes from the depth of history embedded in the work. “Miniature is an art of delicacy and has a history of several hundred years. That’s why I wanted to learn it,” she said.
Local officials say they support efforts to preserve the region’s artistic legacy. Hamidullah Ghiyasi, head of culture and arts at the Herat Department of Information and Culture, said partnerships with art galleries and cultural institutions are helping to promote these traditions. “The Department of Information and Culture of Herat Province, in cooperation with artists—especially in the field of illumination and miniature—has managed to establish strong connections,” he said.
In a time of rapid social and political shifts, the quiet commitment of these young artists offers a powerful reminder: Afghanistan’s heritage lives on through the hands of its people—especially those determined to protect it from fading into history.
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