"Oxen amongst Foliage", Folio from a Manafi' al-Hayawan (On the Usefulness of Animals) of Ibn Bakhtishu'
The manuscript from which this folio derives explains the habits and medicinal properties of the animals depicted within. The color scheme of this painting, together with the presence of a large lotus blossom and Chinese cloud bands, demonstrates the infusion of Chinese imagery in Iranian painting following the Mongol conquest. The decorative quality typical of Persian painting still prevails, however, as seen in the carefully balanced composition and the conceptual approach to the rendition of the sky, which hangs curtain-like at the top of the scene.
Artwork Details
- Title: "Oxen amongst Foliage", Folio from a Manafi' al-Hayawan (On the Usefulness of Animals) of Ibn Bakhtishu'
- Author: Ibn Bakhtishu' (died 1058)
- Date: 1297–99
- Geography: Attributed to Iran
- Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
- Dimensions: Painting: H. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
W. 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm)
Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956
- Object Number: 57.51.31
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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Ibn Bakhtishu'
ca. 1300
"Pair of Serpents", Folio from a Manafi' al-Hayawan (On the Usefulness of Animals) of Ibn Bakhtishu'
Ibn Bakhtishu'
1297–99
dated 531 AH/1137 CE
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dated 741 AH/1340–41 CE
ca. 1180
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