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Drawing with Flowers, Butterflies, and Insects

dated 1059 AH/CE 1649–50
Not on view
Shafi' 'Abbasi was an artist at the court of the Safavid ruler, Shah 'Abbas II (1642–1666) in Isfahan. Inspired by European botanical prints circulating in Isfahan at the time, his sensitively rendered flower compositions included images of birds, butterflies, and other insects. Unlike his father, the renowned painter, Riza-yi 'Abbasi, whose works are largely figural, Shafi' focused on nature. He launched a genre of botantical compositions, which became widely admired in Iran and flourished well into the late 19th century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Drawing with Flowers, Butterflies, and Insects
  • Artist: Shafi' 'Abbasi (Iranian, Isfahan ca. 1628–ca. 1674)
  • Date: dated 1059 AH/CE 1649–50
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: H. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
    W. 8 3/4 in. (22.3 cm)
    Frame: H. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm)
    W. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Estate of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, in memory of Dr. Abolbashar Farmanfarmaian, 2021
  • Object Number: 2021.94.1
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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