ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Old man and the Youth

Painting by Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian
second quarter 17th century
Not on view
Mounted on an album page below a calligraphy signed by Nur al-Din Muhammad Lahiji, these two drawings form a single composition depicting an old man dressed as a dervish pursuing a youth with a wine bottle and cup. Although the drawings are ascribed to Riza-yi 'Abbasi, the quality of line here is more rigid and less sure than that of the master. The image of an old man yearning for a youth finds parallels in Persian mystical poetry. The line of poetry above the drawings refers to the virtue of a young male on the verge of manhood, but may be an ironic reference to the youth in the drawing.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Old man and the Youth
  • Artist: Painting by Riza-yi 'Abbasi (Iranian, ca. 1565–d. 1635)
  • Calligrapher: Nur al-Din Muhammad Lahiji
  • Date: second quarter 17th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Isfahan
  • Medium: Ink, transparent and opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
    W. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.68.5
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Portrait of a Man, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Portrait of a Man
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
ca. 1600
Man in a Fur-Lined Coat, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Man in a Fur-Lined Coat
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
ca. 1600
The Lovers, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
The Lovers
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
dated 1039 AH/1630 CE
Man in a Long-sleeved Coat, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Ink on paper
Man in a Long-sleeved Coat
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
ca. 1598
Study of a Bird, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Study of a Bird
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
dated 1043 AH/1634 CE

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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 complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.