The American Institute of Afghanistan studies put on a show over 100 pictures of artworks in Herat on Saturday that date back to Timurid Empire in Herat. 

The pictures of the artworks were collected by Michael Berry, an American researcher, during the past 40 years from the museums located on three continents. They were kept in important countries’ museums including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Egypt, France, Portugal and a few others. 

Berry recognized the artworks in the museums, photographed them and brought the high-resolution pictures of the artworks to Afghanistan and was on show in Herat on Saturday.

"These are pictures of the artworks that are part of Afghanistan honors and have been in museums of the world's important countries. I tried to bring pictures of these artworks to Herat and that Afghan people should remember their honored past," said Berry.

Director of the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies said these artworks are parts of Afghanistan’s original culture.

The US embassy in Kabul meanwhile said they support the exhibition of Afghan art in Herat.

"The US embassy was proud to support Dr. Berry and his team at the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies and reproduced the historic paintings you see before you. And rediscovered an important chapter in Afghanistan's rich artistic heritage," said US embassy's public affairs counselor Christopher Fitzgerald.

Some of the pictures belong to the well-known painter, Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād, also known as Kamal al-din Bihzad artworks. 

The works depict the art, literature, Sufism and mysticism during the Timurid era in Herat and are recognized as the masterpieces in the world. 

“Every one of these artworks has mysteries that an artist (anthologist) should give information about it. A book should be written for each of these pieces. It is impossible to realize the artistic values of these artworks easily,” Herat governor Mohammad Asif Rahimi said.

The works were put on a show at Citadel of Alexander which is locally known as Qala iktyaruddin, a palace that belonged to Timurid kings.

“We expect that by putting on show the artworks in Herat, dozens of artists like Bihzad and Mashal emerge,” Humayun Ahmadi, a cultural expert said. 

“These artworks show the deep relationships between the arts and Herat artistic styles with the Samarkand and Bukhara art schools,” head of information and culture department of Herat province Arya Raufiyan said. 

The artworks date back to the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries AD.