Gallery 11 Label Dec 2014

Attributed to Riza Abbasi
Two youths
Iran, late 16th–early 17th century
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

The two embracing figures shown here, seated and enjoying a cup of wine, represent the height of fashion at the Safavid court of Iran in the 1600s. The subject and style of this painting were popularized by the artist Riza, who worked for Shah ‘Abbas of Iran (ruled 1570–1628), from whom he received the title Abbasi, meaning “of Abbas” and signifying the pair’s close working relationship. This painting is attributed to Riza because of its use of bold primary colors and the delicate yet assured rendering of the men’s curling locks and fluttering turban bands—all hallmarks of Riza’s work. Paintings of handsome subjects such as these young men would have been placed in albums along with drawings and samples of calligraphy.
Gift of Mrs. Irving T. Snyder, 1964.80
Conservation funded by Mr. and Mrs. Farshad Dini
Last Updated: 2/8/2016