FOTOWAT GALLERY
Persian Miniature Collection
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About us
Our History
With more than 70 years of experience in three generations dealing and creating exquisit pieces of Persian miniature painting.
The tradition of painting in the Fotovat family began almost 82 years ago when Hussein Fotovat, the first generation in the Fotovat family, first started painting as a hobby and then took it as a full-time profession. He was born in 1931 in one of the villages of Isfahan. His father Hassan Fotovat was from a noble family and the chief of the village. He was very fond of different forms of art and his collection of painting and inlaid work was an exclusive one. His mother was a skilled master of needlework and crochet and had many apprentices among the girls of the village and the surrounding villages. Born into an art-loving family, Hussein developed a strong interest in art, which led him to learn various disciplines of traditional Persian art such as Miniature painting, Calligraphy, Ceramics and pottery. However, drawing and painting seemed to be more attractive, and he spent most of his time drawing the beauties and landscapes of the village. parents were always his greatest encouragement, and since he was reluctant to attend training courses with other masters, the support and guidance of his mother, who was very good at drawing, paved the way for his progress, and increased his desire for advancement in the art of painting.
Except for art, which is the crown of creation
The era of no dignity is eternal.
Hussein Fotovat
1931 – 2019
At the age of 20, after the death of his mother, he moved to Isfahan on the advice of his father, and after a short time, he opened his own workshop. His passion for learning and teaching art, as well as his attachment to Persian literature and poetry, turned his workshop into a gathering place for young artists, where art and literature came together to create unique works of art. And this spiritual atmosphere made his children very interested in this art. This artistic environment was a great school for his children to grow up, and he also welcomed this gift, and his two sons, Rasoul and Mustafa, spent most of their time with their father in the workshop.
Mostafa Fotovat
Award winning artist and Gallerist born in Isfahan, dedicated his life to promote Persian miniature painting.
Mostafa Fotovat was born in 1958 in Isfahan. He was the younger son of master Hossein Fotovat. He began to learn painting from his father at his early childhood and soon he became fascinated with precision and elegance in the miniature painting. His interest in painting was so great that at the age of 17 he decided to enter the Fine Arts Conservatory to continue his education. There he got acquainted with different common styles and techniques in miniature painting which for many years formed the basis of the traditional Persian miniature. But the continuous attendance at his father’s workshop gave him an invaluable opportunity to find many friends with creative new ideas, and these relationships gave him the courage to break free himself from the shackles of the traditions, and make changes in what over the years had become the principles of design and style in Persian miniature painting. After graduation from the conservatory, he spent a significant amount of time learning and researching various schools of miniature painting, and finally acquired his own unique path. During his career, Mostafa has won many awards, and has participated in many exhibitions in different parts of the world as well as in Iran, but his greatest honor has always been to teach his art.
In 1988, on the “National Day of Art”, the government of Iran published one of his paintings as the postage stamp to honor his efforts for the growth and excellence of this art in the country.
From the very beginning, he had a great passion for collecting exquisite pieces of miniature and papier-maché, and with the guidance of his father, he had gathered a collection of works by prominent artists of the time. By the age of 24 he had a comprehensive collection of miniature painting from old and new masters, which led him to start his first gallery in 1982 in a very small space in the main bazaar of Isfahan where he could communicate with people while painting, and present his collection to the public. The small gallery in the bazaar was well received by the enthusiasts and soon after, he moved to a larger space close to the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square. In 1994 he established Fotowat Miniaturist Galleries by opening his second gallery opposite Abbasi Hotel which was a great success too and the third gallery inaugurated in 2014, where a collection of masterpieces of Persian miniature painting is presented in a private and relaxed ambiance.
our galleries
Offering a personalised and comprehensive service and a magnificent collection of Persian miniature.
Fotowat Gallery has developed a reputation as one of Isfahan’s leading sources of exceptional and unique Persian miniature art. As a family business customer service is very personal. We take great care and make sure each piece chosen by our clients is perfect for their homes and suits their needs.
Fotowat Private Collection, set up in 2014, focuses on contemporary works of art, specialise in fine works of miniature painting across a broad range of subjects.
OUR GLLAERIES
No 50, Posht Matbakh St.
Naghsh-e-Jahan Sq. Isfahan
Tel: +98.31.322 217 85
Amadegah St. Next to Safir Hotel
Opposite Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan
Tel: +98.31.322 0000 7
Opening Hours
Everyday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
(Except Friday)
Friday by appointment