Miniature "The Caliph Harun in Bath-House"; A "Fottovat Negareh" Of Barbers

Miniature "The Caliph Harun in Bath-House" from Khamsah, is one of the most important artworks attributed to Kamaleddin Bihzad, the famous miniaturist of Timurid and Safavid era. In this article I have tried to answer two questions in connection with this artwork; first, what is the hidden Ideology of artist? and Second, This worldview is related to what social class In the ninth and tenth AH? This study is similar to Iconological and Social Structuralist method in Art critisism. Iconology is interpretation of hidden meanings in artworks associated with the national and religious specifications, ritual symbols and philosophical marks. Social structuralist method reflects about the style elements in connection with "social class" and its role in the formation of artworks. In my opinion, mark of a social class named Fattis (Fottovat followers) is hidden in this visual masterpiece. Islamic history shows a close relationship between art and "Fottovat" cult. "Fottovat nameh"s or handbooks of Fattis were the most important sources about castes and guilds of artisans. Fottovat was divided into three groups: “Seifi”, “Ghouli” and “Shorbi”. Most likely Bihzad was an artisan belonging to “Ghouli” Fottovat circle or in contact with them; their symbols are more or less seen through this work. Infact they were pious tradesmen in different guilds. Such as painters, masons, carpenters, barbers, caligraphers and so on.There was no difference between them in that time. Bihzad is showing us the visual atmosphere of one of that guilds; Barbers. At first glance, the viewer's eye is led upward Bath where the Towels (Tanooreh, Loung, Serval) are hanging. Little boy in the right corner of the bath-house with his long stick is leading viewer's eye towards towels. What do the towels mean? Bath towel (Loung) was considered as a specific sign and motto for Fattis and this is not a mere visual happening. In "Fottovat Nameh"s, barber guilds have been praised more than any other guild. In an interesting "Fottovat Nameh", belonging to barbers, we can read familiar names and acts in contact with this miniature. The tools like Barber razor, Bath bowl, towel (Loung), Serval and... as if they are verbal equivalents of the tools in this miniature. Interpretation of image and refering to the epistles of Fatti barbers, shows more secret marks. Although subject is taken of Makhzan-Al Asrar, but Bihzad has changed that story to favourit visual forms to announce his Ideology and Fattis motto. If subject or structure of this miniature is taken of the former paintings, then we can consider Bihzad as a Fatti follower in choise and execution of such an artistic work. The works that have been signs of Fattis in history. In fact, this Bihzad’s miniature could be seen as a "Fottovat Negareh" or illustrative “Fottovat Nameh” for barbers. There is no doubt that this is not the only possible approach to the subject. There will be other complementary results by other methods.