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Study of a Bird

Painting by Riza-yi 'Abbasi Iranian
dated 1043 AH/1634 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
Paintings of birds are less common in the works of Riza-yi 'Abbasi than languorous youths and amorous lovers. Here, with naturalistic precision, he has used fine brushstrokes to render the nightingale’s feathers in minute detail. The bird appears true-to-life and animated, although it is not proportional in relation to the trees in the background. An inscription on the left in black nasta'liq script contains the date of the painting and the painter’s name. This painting is one of the latest works by the artist.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Study of a Bird
  • Artist: Painting by Riza-yi 'Abbasi (Iranian, ca. 1565–d. 1635)
  • Date: dated 1043 AH/1634 CE
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Isfahan
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
  • Dimensions: Overall:
    H. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
    W. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
    Painting:
    H.3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
    W. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art and Rogers Fund, 1985
  • Object Number: 1985.2
  • 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
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

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