[The following is a tribute from the Yas Foundation to the Master of Persian miniature painting, Ostad Mehdi Taheri.]
Mehdi Taheri, a renowned artist and master of Persian miniature painting, passed away on April 16, 2022 in San Jose, California. He was 93.
Master Taheri was born into a prominent artistic family in Tehran in 1928. From an early age, he showed talent and promise in his emulation of the Persian masters, who were famous for their miniature paintings. He was the grandson of a royal court painter, so he was destined for an artistic career.
[aesop_image img=”https://kayhanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DSC01144.jpg” panorama=”off” credit=”Mehdi Taheri. KL./” align=”center” lightbox=”off” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]
His talent was recognised at a young age. He was admitted to the prestigious Alborz College, in Tehran, to study under the great artist Hossein Behzad.
During his studies, Taheri learned every aspect of his discipline. He was favourably compared to the great Abul Ghasam Tayari of Shiraz, who was his great-grandfather.
After graduating from Alborz College, Taheri studied the Old Masters in Europe, then moved to the United States. He graduated with honours in 1962 from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California.
He made art in a vast range of styles and represented landscapes from the Middle East and the American West, particularly California, in his signature plein air style.
Master Taheri was also known for his interpretation of Persian poetry, particularly the poetry of Omar Khayyam.
Master Taheri’s beloved wife of 47 years, Patricia, died in 2007. He is survived by his daughters: Maryam Gonzalez and Elizabeth Shradar and their families: Maryam Gonzalez of Port St. Lucie, Florida, her husband Pablo and their children, Paul and Shannon; Elizabeth and Paul Shradar of San Jose, California and their children Brandon and Jeremy.
He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Private services are planned.
My condolences, such a fully lived life and use of art to open life’s secret to us through painting, amazing. I wasn’t privileged to meet and know him in person, but lucky enough to know his daughter Elizabeth, though his books i get to recognize his love and connections to person poetry and literature, which has a deep understanding of عرفان Erfan and spirituality, once seeing his paintings i was mesmerized by his abilities to speak though those paintings. Thank you for sharing and letting me to know that artistic Beauty of life.