Mohammad Ali Taraghijah, an Iranian painter celebrated for his modernist approach and self-taught talent, initially pursued studies in mechanical engineering before dedicating himself to painting. His artistic journey took a significant turn when he won the gold medal in Iranian universities' art competitions in 1967, prompting him to fully embrace his passion.

In 1971, Taraghijah held his inaugural solo exhibition at Tehran Gallery, marking the beginning of his international presence with participation in the 1971 Basel International Art Exhibition in Switzerland. Subsequently, his art gained acclaim globally, with frequent exhibitions in prestigious venues across cities like New York, Tokyo, Delhi, Beijing, Paris, Zurich, and Stuttgart. In 1998, the International Museum of 21st Century Art recognized his contributions to Iranian art.

Taraghijah passed away in 2010 at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy of profound artistic exploration. His notable works are housed in esteemed institutions such as the International Museum of 21st Century Art in the United States, Sharjah Museum of Modern Art, Rotterdam World Museum, and Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.

Initially rooted in realism, Taraghijah's style evolved towards mental abstraction and modernism from the mid-1970s onwards. His art embraced simplicity with naïve and poetic elements, integrating influences from Iranian painting and calligraphy. By the 1980s, he developed a distinctive visual language, notably featuring abstract depictions of horses inspired by Iranian art motifs. Using warm brown, ink, and acrylic tones, Taraghijah created pieces evoking desert-like atmospheres, often incorporating folkloric themes such as plants, roosters, horses, and women. Some of his artworks include Sufi poems, enriching their poetic essence with references to literary and mystical traditions.

Eberhard Frank, a painter and university professor, likened Taraghijah's artworks to the quatrains of Khayyam, describing them as weightless, suspended in space, leaving a lasting impression akin to cherished old letters. Sabin Naqdi Daveh, an art history professor and former Sotheby's expert, praised the harmonious relationship between Taraghijah's paintings and the tangible world. He noted Taraghijah's ability to translate reality into serene compositions adorned with beautifully stylized designs set against uniform backgrounds.