Safavid ceramics

Colour, technique and visual perception in the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan

Abstract

This article analyses the role of Safavid ceramics in the construction of architectural space through a study of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, one of the principal examples of Safavid architecture in Isfahan. The paper interprets ceramics not merely as decoration, but as a perceptual device capable of defining the spatial experience through colour, light and surface continuity. The analysis explores the relationship between ceramic techniques, colour schemes, decorative motifs and natural lighting, highlighting how the transition from ceramic mosaic to the haft-rang technique transformed the architectural surface from a fragmented composition into a continuous visual field. Particular attention is paid to the dome, whose radial geometry and interaction with light generate a dynamic and immersive environment. The article also highlights the role of calligraphy and ornamentation in the construction of visual continuity and symbolic meaning, demonstrating how the ceramic surface becomes a design tool capable of mediating between material, perception and spiritual representation.