Final answer:
In Persian miniature painting, Islamic influence did not necessarily lead to the erasure or repainting of entire bodies or heads. Instead, details like facial features might have been retouched in line with later stylistic preferences, as occurred in the 19th-century Qajar era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influence of Islam on Persian miniature painting, such as works found in the Khamseh or 'quintet', is notably complex. Despite the general Islamic prohibition against the depiction of the human figure, Persian miniatures often included human forms within the private and courtly settings. This can be seen in the evolution of book painting that began in the 13th century, where the Mongols influenced artistic developments leading to the tradition of the Persian miniature, showcasing human figures in illuminated manuscripts, a medium embraced by courts and more private settings where the rules could be more relaxed.
Specific alterations to Islamic manuscripts were sometimes made due to subsequent historical events or cultural shifts. For example, some of the faces in the Great Mongol Shahnama were retouched with pink cheeks and heavy eyebrows typical of the 19th-century Qajar style, rather than erasing or overpainting entire figures. This highlights that the response to Islamic influence on art could vary, including subtle retouching rather than complete removal or significant alteration of depicted figures.