DescriptionThe artist Riza, working at the court of Shah `Abbas the Great (r. 1588-1629), revolutionized Persian painting and drawing with his development of the calligraphic line and an innovative palette. His influence on succeeding generations of artists was incalculable. Here the lovers are inextricably bound together, merged volumes confined within one outline. The result is striking but not necessarily comfortable, perhaps reflecting the artist's own discomfort with the constraints imposed by life at court.

Signatures, Inscriptions, and MarkingsSignature: Signed and dated by Riza `Abbasi
Inscriptions: In Persian, left center: "Drawn by the humble Riza-yi `Abbasi, in good fortune, year A.H. 1039, completed Tuesday, eighth day of Shawwal [May 21, 1630 A.D.]"; (above) "God!"; (below) [numeral 5]. (H. McAllister, trans. 1951)