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Study of a bird Attributed to Shafi' 'Abbâsî, Safavid Iran, …
See original version (French)
46
-
Study of a bird Attributed to Shafi' 'Abbâsî, Safavid Iran, …
See original version (French)
Estimate €5,000 - €7,000
Voluntary lot
Description
Study of a bird
Attributed to Shafi' 'Abbâsî, Safavid Iran, 17th-18th century
Polychrome pigments and gold on paper, mounted - later - on an album page, depicting a naturalistically treated bird standing out in reserve against a background of finely drawn floral scrolls. The composition is framed by two calligraphic cartouches in thuluth script on a blue background, extended by margins decorated with gold stencilling on a beige background.
Painting: H. 18 x W. 11 cm (7.1 x 4.3 in.) ;
folio: H. 24.5 x W. 16 cm (9.6 x 6.3 in.)
Provenance:
Christie's sale, Paris, 18 December 2007, lot 138.
Private collection, Paris, acquired at Rosebery's, London, 23 October 2020, lot 7.
This album page is distinguished by the finesse of its naturalistic treatment, evident in the rendering of the bird's plumage and posture, which give it an almost living presence.
Shafi' 'Abbâsî, active in Isfahan in the 17th century under the reign of Shâh 'Abbâs II (r. 1642-1666), is considered to be the son and pupil of Reza' Abbasi'; he differs from him in his marked interest in naturalistic subjects - birds, flowers and insects - inspired in particular by European botanical models circulating in Iran at the time. In this way, he contributed to the emergence of a taste for floral and ornithological compositions, which was to be widely successful and developed by artists at the end of the 17th century, such as Muhammad Zamân (B. Gray, 1959).
His works are held in several public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. 2021.94.1), the British Museum (inv. 1988.0423) and the Cleveland Museum of Art (inv. 1971.84).
A Safavid bird study, attributed to Shafi' 'Abbasi, polychrome pigments and gold on paper, depicting a single bird rendered with naturalistic precision, Iran, Safavid period, 17th-18th century.
See original version (French)
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Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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