Painting of a Young Beauty

Illuminator 'Ali Akbar Iranian

1739–50s

Not on view

This watercolor of a young beauty is signed by the eighteenth-century Iranian painter Muhammad Sadiq, who is primarily known for his oil paintings on canvas and his paintings on lacquer. This work, painted on cloth, is stylistically typical of the artist’s portraits of young women—as seen in the round face, doelike eyes, and centrally parted hair. The equally attractive borders are painted in a Perso-Indian style with sprays of blossoming flowers and signed by 'Ali Akbar, A.H. 1152/A.D. 1739, a pupil of 'Ali Ashraf, an early eighteenth-century master of flower painting.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Painting of a Young Beauty
Artist: Painted by Muhammad Sadiq (Iranian, active 1740–90s)
Illuminator: 'Ali Akbar (Iranian)
Date: 1739–50s
Geography: Made in Iran
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth
Dimensions: Page: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
W. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Painting: H. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
W. 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2011
Object Number: 2011.184
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

By Muhammad Sadiq

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Lacquer Pen Box, Muhammad Sadiq Iranian, Papier-maché; painted and lacquered — Lacquer Pen Box
Muhammad Sadiq
probably 1793–94

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

"Misbah the Grocer Brings the Spy Parran to his House", Folio from a Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza), Dasavanta Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth; mounted on paper — "Misbah the Grocer Brings the Spy Parran to his House", Folio from a Hamzanama (The Adventures of Hamza)
Attributed to Dasavanta
Attributed to Mithra
ca. 1570

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

"The Spy Zambur Brings Mahiya to the City of Tawariq", Folio from a Hamzanama (Book of Hamza), Kesav Das Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth; mounted on paper — "The Spy Zambur Brings Mahiya to the City of Tawariq", Folio from a Hamzanama (Book of Hamza)
Attributed to Kesav Das
Attributed to Mah Muhammad
ca. 1570

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.