On first sight, Nasser Ovissi's paintings seem to fit comfortably into the neo-traditionalist school of Iranian modern art, and whilst they do draw key visual elements from ancient Persian miniature painting, they are fragmented, jarred and re-interpreted in a strictly contemporary framework. 

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Ovissi preferred to produce figurative art, his subjects including horses, painted pottery and human figures. During the forty-five years of his artistic career, Ovissi has remained faithful to his style. Women illustrated in his works reflect those in Qajar court paintings. The men are often depicted as riders or polo players with falcons, in scenes reminiscent of Safavid illustrated manuscripts.