Riza‑yi 'Abbasi
The artist Riza‑yi 'Abbasi revolutionized Persian painting and drawing with his inventive use of calligraphic line and unusual palette. He painted The Lovers toward the end of a long, successful career at the Safavid court. The subject of a couple entwined reflects a newly relaxed attitude to sensuality introduced in the reign of Shah Safi (who ruled from 1629 to 1642). Here the figures are inextricably bound together, merged volumes confined within one outline.
Unlike most earlier Persian artists, Abbasi typically signed his work, often giving dates and other details as well, though there are many pieces with signatures that scholars now reject. His specialty was the single miniature for the albums or muraqqas of private collectors, typically showing one or two figures with a lightly drawn garden background, sometimes in gold, in the style formerly used for border paintings, with individual plants dotted about on a plain background. His, or his buyers', favorite subjects were idealized figures of stylishly dressed and beautiful young men.
Have a great Monday everyone!
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