Sohrab Sepehri (Father: Asadullah Sepehri, a telegraphist and artist; Mother: Mah-Jabin, a poet; Siblings: Manouchehr, Homayoun-Dokht, Pari-Dokht, and Parvaneh)
Sohrab Sepehri (1928–1980) was a towering figure in Iranian modern art and literature, famously known as the “Poet of Nature.” He was one of the few artists who achieved equal mastery and acclaim in both painting and poetry, blending Eastern mysticism with Western modernist techniques.
Born in a family of artists and intellectuals, Sepehri grew up in the desert city of Kashan, whose landscapes—particularly its trees, mud-brick walls, and vast horizons—remained the primary inspiration for his visual work. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tehran University with first-class honors. His thirst for artistic growth led him on extensive travels to Japan, where he studied woodblock printing (lithography) and became deeply immersed in Zen Buddhism. He also spent significant time in Paris and India, further refining his minimalist and contemplative style.
In the world of painting, Sepehri is most famous for his “Tree Trunk” series. His works are characterized by a subdued, earthy palette—mostly grays, browns, and ochres—and a semi-abstract, calligraphic brushwork that suggests form rather than detailing it. He broke the record for the highest-selling modern Iranian painting at the Tehran Auction, cementing his legacy as a commercial and critical titan.
As a poet, he was a pioneer of “New Poetry” (She’r-e No). His collection Hasht Ketab (Eight Books) is a cornerstone of modern Persian literature. His poetry, much like his paintings, is marked by humanity, a deep reverence for the natural world, and a quest for spiritual purity. He died of leukemia in Tehran in 1980 and was buried in the courtyard of Imamzadeh Sultan Ali in Mashhad Ardehal, near his beloved Kashan.
Active in others filds : Poetry (one of Iran’s “Big Five” modernists), Translation (Japanese and Chinese poetry), Art Education.
