Nasser Assar is a painter known for his simplified landscapes, influenced by Eastern painting and philosophy. As a child, he was introduced to poetry and philosophy by his father, a professor of Eastern philosophy at the University of Tehran. From 1949 to 1953, Assar studied painting under Ali Mohammad Heydarian at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Tehran. He then moved to Paris, studying at one of the city's free art schools from 1954 to 1965. His first solo exhibition took place in 1955 at the Paris Prism Gallery, and his work has since been featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions across Paris, Brussels, London, and other European cities. In 1966, he held his only solo exhibition in Iran at Lito Gallery. 

Assar's fascination with Eastern nature and art, particularly the Zen painting tradition, is a central theme in his work. He began his career in Iran by drawing trees within abstract spaces. However, after moving to France and absorbing the context of modern Western movements, he deeply engaged with Oriental art, making it inseparable from his identity. His acquaintance with Sohrab Sepehri further fueled his interest in Far Eastern and Sino-Japanese culture. The calligraphic movement of the brush in his works, inspired by Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, creates balanced compositions. His use of color features thin or thick uniform tones, complemented by the delicate, bright, and vivid movement of his brush. Despite his Orientalist influences, Assar maintains an independent identity in his art, setting him apart from other influential Oriental artists. His work evokes a minimalist, relaxing yet dynamic feeling, imparting a sense of calm and stillness to the viewer.

"Assar successfully unites eastern and western worlds without any gesture. He combines his eastern view with the pure and naked essence of Western abstract painting," writes Aydin Aghdashloo about Assar's works. “Assar's very colorful and well-made paintings are windows into a refined soul that can slide and fly beyond the complex anger, greed, and anxiety."