The Persian Art

The students in their visual arts class researched "Persian Art". They focused on fifteenth century Persian art because the story took place at that time. They were then to interpret and evaluate the many ways the artist, Robert Florczak helped tell the story with his illustrations.

Reading Objectives

The student will interpret and evaluate the various ways graphic artists, illustrators and news photographers represent meaning. (TEKS 4.24A)

The Artwork in "The Persian Cinderella"

Artist, Robert Florczak

The artist Robert Florczak had to understand Persian history to draw the illustrations in the book. Even if a young child could not read they would know that the story did not take place in the United States. The characters in the story all had dark hair and they had brightly colored cloths on. There were many Persian rugs that the characters sat on. The plants looked different too.

We found out that each tribe in Persia had their own rug design. When the girl married into a family she took her rug with her. Maybe Settareh took her rug to the palace. It did not say in the story.

The designs in the story were very symmetrical. We found this out by putting a small mirror up to the designs. They looked identical when you looked in the mirror. They make these designs to show harmony.

All of the faces looked similar until the prince sent our two workers to find who the bracelet belonged to. They looked different. When we researched ancient Persia we found out that it was conquered by the Mongols that come from China. They also show them with a horse and the Mongols were great horseman. So the artist in the story really had to know his history of Persia.

We liked the artwork in the story. It made it very interesting to read. You could even tell if Settareh was happy or sad. We think we would like to be artists.

by Sarah, Shelly, Maria and Mary Beth, ages 9 and 10