Mohammad Ali Taraghijah, an Iranian painter, renowned for his modernist approach and self-taught skills, initially pursued studies in mechanical engineering before devoting himself to his true passion: painting. His decision to leave engineering was reinforced by his win of the gold medal in the Iranian universities' art competitions in 1967, serving as a pivotal moment in his artistic journey.

In 1971, he held his first solo exhibition at the Tehran Gallery. His international debut coincided with the 1971 Basel International Art Exhibition in Switzerland. Subsequently, his art gained recognition on the global stage, with frequent showcases in prestigious art centers worldwide, including New York, Tokyo, Delhi, Beijing, Paris, Zurich, and Stuttgart. In 1998, the International Museum of 21st Century Art featured his works as representative of Iranian art. Taraghijah passed away in 2010 at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy of profound artistic exploration. Some of his most notable pieces are housed in esteemed art institutions such as the International Museum of 21st Century Art in the United States, the Sharjah Museum of Modern Art, the Rotterdam World Museum, and the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.

Initially adopting a realistic style, Taraghijah's work evolved towards mental abstraction and modernism from the mid-1970s onwards. His artistic expression leaned towards simplicity, often featuring childlike and poetic elements, later integrating aspects of Iranian painting and calligraphy. By the 1980s, he had developed a distinctive visual language, notably characterized by his abstract representations of horses, inspired by traditional Iranian art motifs. Utilizing warm brown, ink, and acrylic tones on canvas, Taraghijah imbued his pieces with a desert-like atmosphere, frequently incorporating folkloric themes such as plants, roosters, horses, and women. Some of his works also incorporate Sufi poems, adding depth and enriching the poetic essence of his art with references to literary and mystical traditions.

Eberhard Frank, a painter, university professor, and president of the German Painters' Association, drew parallels between Taraghijah’s works and the quatrains of Khayyam, describing them as weightless, suspended in space, and leaving a lasting impression akin to treasured old letters. Sabin Naqdi Daveh, a professor of art history and former Sotheby's expert, commented on the harmonious relationship between Taraghijah's paintings and the tangible world, noting his ability to effortlessly translate reality into soothing linear compositions adorned with unique, beautifully stylized designs set against uniform backgrounds.