Arthur Upham Pope

Arthur Upham Pope (1881-1969) was an American art historian, archaeologist and teacher who became one of the preeminent scholars of Persian art and architecture in the 20th century. His extensive work documenting and promoting Persian cultural heritage helped establish Islamic art as a serious field of study in Western academia. As the founding director of the Iranian Institute in New York, Pope organized several landmark exhibitions of Persian art in the 1920s and 1930s. His monumental "Survey of Persian Art from Prehistoric Times to the Present," published in 1938-1939, remains an influential reference work that helped codify the study of Iranian art history. During his career spanning over 40 years, Pope photographed and documented hundreds of archaeological and architectural sites across Iran, many of which have since been altered or destroyed. His personal collection of over 70,000 photographs and extensive research materials are now housed at several institutions including the University of Tehran. Pope's scholarly contributions earned him significant recognition from the Iranian government, and he spent his later years living in Iran where he continued his research until his death in 1969. He and his wife Phyllis Ackerman were buried in Isfahan, making them among the few Westerners to be interred in Iran.

Readers praise Pope's "Survey of Persian Art" for its detailed documentation and comprehensive scope. Academic reviews emphasize its value as a reference text for studying Iranian architectural history and cultural heritage. Researchers frequently cite the quality and historical significance of his photographic archives. What readers liked: - Thorough documentation of Persian sites and artifacts - High quality photographs that captured now-altered locations - Clear writing style that makes complex topics accessible - Detailed architectural drawings and site plans What readers disliked: - Limited availability of his works in print - Some outdated terminology and colonial-era perspectives - High cost of original editions - Technical language can be challenging for general readers Reviews: Limited presence on mainstream review sites due to academic/specialized nature of works. Most reviews appear in scholarly journals and academic publications rather than consumer platforms. No Goodreads ratings available. Occasional used book listings on Amazon lack customer reviews. Note: Difficulty finding broad reader sentiment due to specialized academic audience and limited public accessibility of major works.

Masterpieces of Persian Art (1945) A comprehensive examination of Persian art history covering architecture, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork, with detailed analyses of specific works and their cultural context.

Persian Architecture (1965) A historical survey of Persian architectural developments from ancient times through the Islamic period, documenting building techniques, styles, and regional variations.

An Introduction to Persian Art Since the Seventh Century A.D. (1930) A chronological study of Persian artistic development focusing on the Islamic period, including analysis of painting, calligraphy, and decorative arts.

A Survey of Persian Art from Prehistoric Times to the Present (1938-1939) A six-volume encyclopedic work covering all aspects of Persian art history, including architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and metalwork.

Persepolis: The Archaeological Sites (1967) A detailed archaeological study of the ancient Persian capital, examining its architecture, reliefs, and historical significance.

Above the Bright Blue Sky (1947) A personal account of Pope's experiences and observations during his travels and research throughout Iran and Central Asia.

Ernst Kühnel focused on Islamic art history and produced comprehensive studies of Persian miniature paintings and carpets. His work "The Arabesque" examines ornamental patterns in Islamic art across multiple regions and periods.

Richard Ettinghausen specialized in Islamic art with particular emphasis on Persian and Arab artistic traditions. His publications include detailed analyses of medieval Islamic metalwork and manuscript illustration techniques.

Oleg Grabar wrote extensively about Islamic architecture and the development of Persian artistic styles. His research covered the formation of Islamic art from its beginnings through the medieval period.

Sheila Blair concentrates on Islamic art with specific focus on Persian calligraphy and epigraphy. Her work examines the relationship between text and architecture in Persian monuments and manuscripts.

K.A.C. Creswell documented Islamic architecture through systematic photographic surveys and architectural plans. His multi-volume works provide detailed historical documentation of medieval Islamic buildings and construction methods.