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This paper discusses the character, organization and social role of the traditional mas¬ter-pupil system in Persian painting. In particular, it explains its appearance and the role it plays in professional, social and artistic activities of Persian painting. Its way of life was not open to all. To receive honor and promotion, a master painter had to become known with a particular skill. He was expected to teach younger people kindly. A master painter who showed leadership ability also had to associate with an individual in a position authority. This association provided the individual with an informal apprenticeship through which he acquired a better understanding of master painting. In its various com¬munity activities, the master-pupil system also worked closely with the guilds. In fact there was a close relationship between the two. However, the effectiveness of this system, appears to have been diminished toward the end of the nineteenth century under the bur¬den of European influences.