drawing(tinted)
- Museum number
- 1948,0214,0.4
- Description
-
Yusuf and Zulaikha; single-page drawing on a detached album folio. Drawing depicting Yusuf entering the presence of Zulaikha. Yusuf, surrounded by a burning halo, enters into a gated complex illuminated with detailed figures, each absorbed by their own movement/dance/ritual. Zulaikha sits upon an elevated throne, underneath an open building. Beyond the gate, in the near distance, figures play musical instruments and dance with animals. Signed and dated.
Ink and gold on paper; surrounding border added at a later date.
- Production date
-
17thC
-
1645 (ca.)
- Dimensions
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Height: 26.60 centimetres (image)
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Height: 44 centimetres (oveall)
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Width: 45.40 centimetres (image)
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Width: 62.70 centimetres (overall)
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Shafi` `Abbasi, son of Riza, followed closely in his father's footsteps, working at the court of the Shah `Abbas II (r. 1642-66). The size and horizontal format of this impressive drawing illustrating the marriage of Yusuf and Zulaikha indicate that it was most likely a cartoon for a wall painting and not a manuscript illustration, despite its literary theme. An inscription on the pillow under Zulaikha's elbow reads, 'drawing of Shafi `Abbasi, [illegible date]'.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2016 21 May-21 November, London, BM, 'Courting to contract: love and marriage in Iran'
- Acquisition date
- 1948
- Department
- Middle East
- Registration number
- 1948,0214,0.4
