Ancient Near East, Persia, ca. 19th century CE. A stunning Persian miniature painting rendered with opaque pigments as well as black calligraphic text along the upper and lower borders. The composition features a regal couple dressed in luxurious garments, turbans, and strands of pearls. The woman stands beneath the leafy canopy of a tree, while the man draws his bow across the strings of his musical instrument, sweetly serenading her. How romantic! A lovely artwork, set in a frame with a double matte behind glass. Size (sight view): 6.25" L x 4.125" W (15.9 cm x 10.5 cm) Size (frame): 14.125" L x 10.5" W (35.9 cm x 26.7 cm)

Miniature painting emerged in Persian art during the 13th century. Following the Mongol conquests, the genre displayed strong Chinese influence, and the tradition reached its peak during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Persian miniature painting influenced other Islamic miniature traditions, including the Ottoman miniature created in Turkey as well as the Mughal miniature of India.

Interestingly, Persian art - although under the influence of Islam - never completely forbade the inclusion of the human figure. Furthermore, the depiction of figures - oftentimes in groups - is a common practice in the miniature tradition. Scholars believe that this was because the miniature was used as a private form of visual culture. These images were kept in a book or an album and only shown to a select audience. For this reason, artists could be more free when creating miniatures than when creating wall paintings which were viewed by a wider audience. The Koran (Qur'an) and other religious texts were not illustrated in this way as a rule; however, other works of literature and histories at times included religious scenes, some with depictions of Muhammed, although those rendered after 1500 usually do not present his face.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175943

Miniature painting is mounted in a double matte and frame behind glass. It has not been examined outside the frame, but appears to be in good condition albeit with expected age wear. Fit with suspension wire and ready to display.