Study of a Bird

Riza-yi 'Abbasi

dated A.H. 1043/1634 CE · Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper · Islamic Art

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.

Artist

Riza-yi 'Abbasi

Date

dated A.H. 1043/1634 CE

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art and Rogers Fund, 1985