Artwork Page for Black and White Bird Perched on a Shrub

Details / Information for Black and White Bird Perched on a Shrub

Black and White Bird Perched on a Shrub

1651–52

Shafi' Abbasi

(Iranian)
Culture
Iran, Isfahan, Safavid period (1501-1722)
Medium
opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Sheet: 16.1 x 25 cm (6 5/16 x 9 13/16 in.); Image: 7.7 x 13.4 cm (3 1/16 x 5 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1971.84
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

In Iran between the 1630s and 1650s, the court painter Shafi’ ‘Abbasi, son of the renowned painter Riza ‘Abbasi, specialized in a new fashion depicting naturalistic plants and birds, some adapted from European sources such as botanical engravings or herbals. Several have been identified as patterns for textiles, evidenced by pricked holes along the contours, which allowed designs to be transferred to another surface. The inscription indicates that Shafi’ ‘Abbasi made this painting for Shah Abbas II in 1651-52. Presumably, he copied this composition from a European engraving.
Horizontally oriented opaque watercolor painting depicting a naturalistic black and white bird perched on a branch ending in yellow-green leaves and flowers on which pink butterflies perch. Both the flowers and leaves have serrated edges. Three rectangles frame the image, the first two grey then pink with gold floral patterns and the last and largest dark green. Black, Arabic text extends across the painting's upper left corner (see "Inscriptions").

Black and White Bird Perched on a Shrub

1651–52

Shafi' Abbasi

(Iranian)
Iran, Isfahan, Safavid period (1501-1722)

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