Jamshid Samavatian was born in 1938 in Isfahan. He studied art at Tehran University of Fine Arts, alongside established artists like Mahmoud Javadipour[1], Aydin Aghdashlou[2], and Abbas Kiarostami[3], when pioneering master artists like Ali Mohammad Heydarian[4] and Kamal El Molk[5] were teaching. Jamshid's artistic path was clearly shaped by the university's twofold environment, which was built by modernist artists such as Mahmoud Javadipour and classical artists such as Aydin Aghdashloo.
His professional life developed during the Persian modern art movement of the 1960s, influenced by traditional Persian art and the Graffiti Safavid era in his hometown of Esfehan. His works could be seen as part of the neo-traditionalism movement of artists who attempted to combine modern and traditional art.
Jamshid Samavatian was an innovative artist who gave traditional art a new perspective, imbuing it with historical freshness. Sadegh Tabrizi[6] refers to Samavatian as the father of Iranian patina, and Naser Fakouhi[7] describes his works ambiguous, as they look to have faded over time. He created artworks that appear to be aged, inspired by the archetype of ancient lovers. Samavatian left a mark on art that speaks to the destruction of traditional Iranian art over time.
His legacy is the creation of one-of-a-kind techniques that shed new light on Iranian art. Using mud, plaster, and gold leaf, as well as patina and glass-painting techniques, he added texture and distressed the surface to create cracked, faded, or aged look artworks. His works have a distinct harmony, a strong composition, a unique design and color presentation, a unique structure, and an amazing construction.
Samavatian passed in October 2021. He had his last exhibition in January 2021, named "Heritage," in the Negar Gallery. He generously donated a portion of his earnings from the exhibition to children and women in need.
Jamshid Samavatian passed away on October 14, 2021, at the age of 83 due to a heart condition at his home in Khademabad, Shahriar. This was the same house where he kept his beloved keepsakes, including his portrait drawn by Keikhosro Khoroush and Aydin Aghdashloo in memory of him, a poem written by Mohammad Reza Shajarian in his own handwriting, and over 50 of his artworks. Despite living a simple life away from the hustle and bustle of the art world for many years, in the last two years of his life, Samavatian only visited Negar Art Gallery; sipping light tea, reviewing his past, and sharing his memories and concerns. He was passionate to help others, and he had planned to donate his book collection.
[2] (born October 30, 1940) is an Iranian painter, graphist, art curator, writer, and film critic.
[3](22 June 1940 – 4 July 2016) was an Iranian film director, screenwriter, poet, photographer, and film producer.
[4] (1896 – 1990) was an Iranian painter and a student of Kamal al-Mulk.
[5] (1848-1940) was an Iranian painter and part of the Ghaffari family in Kashan.
[6] (February 22, 1939) A pioneer of Iranian modern art.
[7] (born 13 May 1956) is an Iranian anthropologist, writer and translator.