"Night Scene: Group Listening to Music", Folio from the Davis Album

Unknown

late 17th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Late seventeenth century painters in India and Iran became fascinated with the idea of night time gatherings illuminated by the light of a candle or lamp. The effects of light and shadow were a new discovery for them. Here, we see an outdoor gathering of musicians at night by an artist who has lit the scene from a double candlestand at center.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 17th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915