Reza Abbasi Museum in Tehran

Reza Abbasi Museum – Tehran's Chronicle of Persian Art Across Millennia

• A Museum with a Mission
• A Journey Through Time and Technique
• More Than a Museum
• Why It Captivates

Tucked along Shariati Street in the Seyed Khandan neighborhood of Tehran, the Reza Abbasi Museum (موزه رضا عباسی) is a quiet treasure trove of Iranian art and history. Named after the celebrated Safavid-era painter Reza Abbasi , this museum offers a rare, chronological journey through 7,000 years of Persian creativity - from prehistoric pottery to Safavid miniatures and Qajar calligraphy.

A Museum with a Mission

Established in 1977 under the patronage of Farah Pahlavi, the museum was envisioned as a specialized space to showcase Iran's artistic evolution. Though it faced closures and renovations over the years, it reopened in 2000 with renewed purpose under the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran. The building itself — originally designed for furniture exhibitions — was repurposed for museum use due to its unique architectural features, including spacious galleries and natural lighting ideal for delicate artifacts.

A Journey Through Time and Technique

The museum's layout spans three floors, guiding visitors through a chronological narrative of Persian art:

• Third Floor – Prehistoric & Pre-Islamic Gallery Artifacts from the 2nd millennium BC to the Sassanid era, including:
  • Luristan bronzes
  • Achaemenid rhytons and jewelry
  • Stone busts and ceremonial vessels
• Second Floor – Islamic Art Galleries I & II Featuring works from the early Islamic period to the Qajar dynasty, such as:
• Seljuk pottery with Kufic inscriptions
• Safavid metalwork and lacquerware
• Illustrated manuscripts from the Tabriz and Herat schools
• First Floor – Miniature & Calligraphy Galleries A celebration of Persian aesthetics, showcasing:
• Illuminated pages from Shahnameh, Golestan, and Khamseh
• Calligraphy in Naskh, Thuluth, Nastaliq, and Shekasteh styles
• Works by masters like Mir Emad, Ahmad Neirizi, and Darvish Abd al-Majid Taleqani

More Than a Museum

Beyond its galleries, the Reza Abbasi Museum is a hub for scholarship and preservation:

• Library: Over 10,000 volumes in Persian, English, French, and German, plus subscriptions to 50+ journals
• Restoration Labs: Advanced facilities for conserving paintings, manuscripts, and metal artifacts
• Publication Department: Produces reference books on Iranian art, including tilework, miniature painting, and historical craftsmanship
• Workshops: Offers training in drawing, calligraphy, watercolor, and oil painting

Why It Captivates

• Chronological curation: A rare museum that lets you trace the evolution of Persian art step by step
• Intimate scale: With only 700 items on display from a collection of over 50,000, each piece is thoughtfully chosen
• Cultural depth: From ancient rituals to Safavid elegance, it's a mirror of Iran's layered identity
• Quiet charm: Less crowded than major museums, it offers space for reflection and discovery

Whether you're an art historian, a curious traveler, or someone seeking Iran’s soul through its brushstrokes and inscriptions, the Reza Abbasi Museum invites you to slow down and listen. Here, every artifact whispers a story — and every gallery feels like a chapter in the book of Persian civilization.