Regretful 1981

Morteza Katouzian created this 50 x 70 cm painting titled 'Regretful'. We can see the figure of a man, his head resting on a table, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. The stark lighting recalls film noir and the Old Master tradition, creating a palpable sense of melancholy. Katouzian is an Iranian artist, whose work gained prominence after the revolution of 1979. In a culture where the expression of personal anguish is often suppressed, Katouzian's painting takes on a particular resonance. Does this painting critique the institutions of art? Is it self-consciously conservative or progressive? His artistic style, rooted in realism, is often at odds with more experimental forms embraced in the West. But it may also signal a desire to connect with a broader audience within Iran itself. To understand the context in which Katouzian was working, we might consult historical records, literature, and film from the period. Remember that the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.