Iconographic analysis of Afrasyab mural paintings

Since ancient times, human beings have been worried about beautifying their environment, especially the places where they live in. All of these artistic productions, from the doodling of the cave walls to contemporary art works, were made to meet the aesthetic needs of humanity. The mural paintings of humanity, which are generally similar to each other, show differences in the materials, techniques and themes portrayed. Among these differences, the paints used by artists, methods to obtain them, and techniques used are very important. Paints used, along with their technical specifications, are chosen carefully for their meanings for that specific culture and used with care by their semantic integrity with the theme. All societies starting from the first drawings made on cave walls, sample murals have been carried out in line with the cultural codes. Among these societies, Afrasyab mural paintings of Sogdian, one of the ancient peoples of Central Asia, contain extensive information about the Middle Ages societies as visual documents. Afrasyab mural paintings made by Sogdians, who lived between VI B.C. and X. Centuries, which are among the numerous art products they created on to the commercial and sacred building centers, are quite different from the paintings dated to the same period according to the techniques and themes. In Afrasyab mural paintings on the walls of the palace of Sogdian ruler Varkhuman, different subjects exist together. The mural paintings on the western wall represent the reception of foreign ambassadors, whereas on the southern wall, there is a representation of the New Day (Nevruz) parade to respect the ancestors led by the King. On the eastern wall, paintings feature scenes from everyday life, and lastly, on the northern wall, Chinese princesses, hunting scenes, and animal depictions are represented. All the elements in the mural paintings, where different events are depicted independently from each other in the same composition, are skillfully illustrated and hints of cultural codes are given a place. Reflecting the artistic conception of an era, iconographic analysis of these images are performed and it is explained that the symbols, colors and descriptive imagery used; according to the religious, cultural and political characteristics of the period. Art products, which are regarded as the common heritage of human culture, have inspired the production of contemporary artists. The artists, who adopt the ecole of painting and cultural art, create contemporary designs by incorporating the works of art, that they are influenced from a section of history, into their works, in different ways. In this context, being faithfully to Afrasyab mural paintings' subject, color and styles, contemporary designs are carried out. The statement is supported by adding images from today such as stamps, logos which has universal recognition, and seal to the designs shaped like postage marks. With the designs realized, it is aimed to transfer the cultural and aesthetic judgment taken from the past to the future.