Signed by Mu'in Musavvir (active ca. 1630–97)
Iran, probably Isfahan
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper; H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm), W. 9 1/16 in. (23 cm)
Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974 (1974.290.43)
.The painter Mu'in had an extraordinarily long working life, from about 1630 to 1697. Initially Mu'in's style was very close to that of his brilliant master, Riza-yi 'Abbasi, the salient characteristics of whose works he could imitate with great virtuosity, but he soon developed a broad and fluid style unmistakably his own. He illustrated various Shahnama manuscripts, including one in the Museum's collection to which he contributed twenty-one miniatures during the 1690s, toward the end of his career. Of the twelve miniatures remaining in the volume, seven contain the signature of Mu'in Musavvir, and one other bears his name but appears to be a later attribution. The other four may be attributed to Mu'in on stylistic grounds, and all appear to have been painted during the same period.
In this painting, King Khusrau has summoned Rustam, the hero of the Shahnama, to stop the div Akvan's ravaging of the herds. Rustam pursued the div in the wilderness for several days until, weary from the chase, he fell asleep by a spring. The vengeful demon dug the earth around Rustam and raised him on this bed of earth. The painting depicts the moment when Akvan pauses to decide whether to hurl Rustam against the mountain or into the ocean. Rustam asked to be thrown into the ocean, predicting that the evil mind of the div would choose the opposite. Akvan threw Rustam into the ocean but eventually Rustam reached the shore and defeated the div in combat.
Related
Index Terms
ART MOVEMENT/STYLE
MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE
- Calligraphy
- Calligraphy from West Asia
- Miniature Painting
- Miniature Painting from West Asia
- Painting in Ink on Paper from West Asia
OBJECT
SUBJECT MATTER/THEME
Lot Description
RUSTAM AND THE DIV AKVAN, SAFAVID IRAN, 16TH CENTURY
Gouache heightened with gold and silver on paper, the mighty rust-coloured div holding Rustam aloft on a boulder, nasta'liq in four columns above and below, blue and gold margins, laid down on card- Folio 16½ x 11½in. (42 x 29cm.); Miniature 10 x 8in. (25 x 20cm.)
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