The Influence of European Arts on Bagh-e-Golestan: The Qajarid Garden

The Garden of Golestan is part of the Palace of Qajarid Dynasty located inside the Tehran Royal Citadel -Arg, specifically to the southeast of the Citadel. A historical survey of the Garden shows that its landscape has been gradually influenced by European features. The influence of the European arts can be seen through the various palaces which were consequently built around the Garden.This article is based on the results of the author's research on the historical development of the Tehran Royal Citadel. The discussion begins with the Zandyyeh Dynasty in 1759, prior to Qajars, and continues to the last decade of Nasserad-Din Shah of Qajar in 1896. The evolution of the Garden demonstrates the classical principles upon which its initial rectangular layout was created and continues through the first decade of the Nasseri period in 1858 when Bagh-e-Golestan was completed and shaped as a quadrangle. Due to the closer relationship between Iran and Europe during the Nasseri period, from 1848 to 1896, the Garden was influenced by the modernizing effects of Europe. Therefore, the influence of European arts is discussed and evaluated specifically with regard to the Bagh-e-Golestan in the five decades since the Nasseriperiod. The paper discusses the architectural significance of the Garden, its layout, and its landscape.The article compares the first Garden, characterized by its paradise-like connotations and formerly-popular layout, with its later innovative design. The Garden's significant features have been directly influenced by changes in its inhabitants' taste and manner. It is remarkable that the innovative architectural features that appeared in the Garden evolved to complement the historic setting of the time and to reflect Iranian taste at this period. However, in this period, the Iranian-Islamic landscape of the Royal Garden was transformed into a more European landscape. Nevertheless, the Garden preserved its pleasant significance and resemblance to paradise.