A Gathering of Mythical Creatures around a Lotus Leaf

dated Shawwal 1088 AH/1677 CE

Not on view

This image of an angel, two fantastic beasts, and a goose riding a tortoise is a copy of an early 15th-century Persian drawing in an album of similar material, now kept in the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin. Signed by Mu‘in Musavvir, a leading 17th-century Safavid artist, the work is dated 1088/1677. The work suggests that Mu‘in had recently seen the album for the first time, since from around 1675 until the end of his career in the late 17th century Mu‘in drew many Chinese-style animals in landscape. While most of those images conform to the artist’s more calligraphic style of draftsmanship, the introduction of this type of content was new and may be explained by the impact of the album drawings and paintings on his work.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: A Gathering of Mythical Creatures around a Lotus Leaf
Artist: Mu'in Musavvir (Iranian, active 1630s–90s)
Date: dated Shawwal 1088 AH/1677 CE
Geography: Made in Iran
Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions: Folio:
H. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm)
W. 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm)
Drawing:
H. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
W. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of William and James Morton, in memory of their brother, Sandy Morton, Persian scholar and collector, 2016
Object Number: 2016.715
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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In the same medium

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Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, Mu'in Musavvir Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper — Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
Painting by Mu'in Musavvir
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
1660s

Swan-Neck Glass Bottle, Glass, blue; dip-molded, blown, folded foot — Swan-Neck Glass Bottle
19th century

"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — "Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Govardhan
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50

Calligraphic Plaque, Steel; forged and pierced — Calligraphic Plaque
probably late 17th century

"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — "Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painted by Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50

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