Zakaria raazi 1954

Hossein Behzad painted this miniature, titled "Zakaria Razi," in 1954, capturing a scene imbued with symbols of knowledge and transformation. The central figure, likely Razi himself, is surrounded by alchemical instruments, each flask and vial representing elements of the natural world waiting to be understood and manipulated. Notice the books scattered on the floor. They evoke a sense of ancient wisdom. The act of transforming base metals into gold— a central aim of alchemy—mirrors the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Just as the alchemists sought to purify substances, they also sought to refine their own souls. Think of how similar motifs are used in Medieval art where biblical characters were portrayed mixing elixirs, seeking healing, and finding a metaphor for personal and collective redemption. These visual echoes remind us that the desire for transformation is a constant thread woven through the tapestry of human history.