Breaking the frame in traditional Persian paintings, a prelude to remediation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Frame breaking in traditional Persian paintings, also known as Persian miniature, is a practice where parts of the frame are intentionally left open for some painting elements to exit the frame. This repeatedly occurred in this tradition; and was used methodically in Herat and Tabriz II schools. However, the motivation behind it is not completely known. Persian miniature, in its heyday, departed from its structural form and esthetic principles mostly because of its acquaintance and fusion with the then new form of European paintings and its most notable technique, linear perspective. Frame breaking could be thought of a sign of remediation and reform in Persian miniature. More specifically, frame breaking was a premediation sign, which would shape the later changes in traditional Persian paintings. As such, by emphasizing the frame, albeit broken rather than eliminating it, we become aware of the medium or media. This interpretation is adopted from hypermediacy according to Bolter and Grusin’s remediation theory. Here, an attempt is made to analyze the practice of frame breaking in traditional Persian paintings through this theory.