Miniature pasted on an album leaf. ‘Young Woman with a Fan’
Iran, Isfahan; 1590-1600
Leaf: 23.5 × 15.2 cm
Inventory number 119/2006
There is an almost identical painting made by Riza-i Abbasi (1565-1635) in the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
This artist, who was permitted by Shah Abbas to add the ruler’s name to his own, was the one who decidedly set the tone in 17th-century Iran. He had many pupils and imitators, and if this charming but unsigned painting was not made by the artist himself, then it was at least painted by one who knew and mastered his style to perfection.
The way in which the young woman’s eyebrows meet is almost a Riza hallmark, and the fine treatment of the folds of the various textiles is also typical, though more common. The depiction is less mannered than many later portraits.
This artist, who was permitted by Shah Abbas to add the ruler’s name to his own, was the one who decidedly set the tone in 17th-century Iran. He had many pupils and imitators, and if this charming but unsigned painting was not made by the artist himself, then it was at least painted by one who knew and mastered his style to perfection.
The way in which the young woman’s eyebrows meet is almost a Riza hallmark, and the fine treatment of the folds of the various textiles is also typical, though more common. The depiction is less mannered than many later portraits.
Published in
Published in
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 78;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 63;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 63;
Miniature Paintings
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘The Slaying of Siyawush’
Double frontispiece painting for an unknown manuscript. ‘A Gathering of Learned Men on a Terrace’
Miniature from a copy of Sadi’s Bustan. ‘The Dervish from Faryab Crosses the River on his Rug,’ attributed to Habiballah
Partly colored drawing pasted on an album leaf. ‘Young Prince with Brands on his Arm’