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The Lovers

Painting by Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian
dated 1039 AH/1630 CE
Not on view
The artist Riza‑yi 'Abbasi revolutionized Persian painting and drawing with his inventive use of calligraphic line and unusual palette. He painted The Lovers toward the end of a long, successful career at the Safavid court. The subject of a couple entwined reflects a newly relaxed attitude to sensuality introduced in the reign of Shah Safi (r. 1629–42). Here the figures are inextricably bound together, merged volumes confined within one outline.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Lovers
  • Artist: Painting by Riza-yi 'Abbasi (Iranian, ca. 1565–d. 1635)
  • Date: dated 1039 AH/1630 CE
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Isfahan
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
    W. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
    Page: H. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm)
    W. 4 15/16 in. (12.5 cm)
    Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Francis M. Weld Gift, 1950
  • Object Number: 50.164
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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The Old man and the Youth, Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian, Ink, transparent and opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
The Old man and the Youth
Riza-yi 'Abbasi
Nur al-Din Muhammad Lahiji
second quarter 17th century
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
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

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