Album page: a group of dervishes

Line drawing in black, red and blue inks; lightly tinted. Paper.

Historical period(s)
Safavid period, early 17th century
Medium
Ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H x W (drawing): 15.9 × 9.6 cm (6 1/4 × 3 3/4 in)
Geography
Iran, Isfahan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1940.18
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Album, Drawing
Type

Album leaf with drawing

Keywords
drinking, Iran, Safavid period (1501 - 1722)
Provenance

To 1940
Heeramaneck Galleries, New York to 1940

From 1940
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Heeramaneck Galleries, New York in 1940 [1]

Notes:

[1] Undated folder sheet note. For additional information, see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Heeramaneck Galleries

Description

Line drawing in black, red and blue inks; lightly tinted. Paper.

Label

This drawing represents a group of ten figures gathered around a large wine jar, over which one of them is leaning. The jar resembles Chinese Ming dynasty wares, which were in great demand during this period.

The motley assortment of dervishes and youths in the foreground of this image are engaged in the pleasurable pursuit of intoxication. Drinking figures, alone or in groups, are often portrayed in 17th-century Iranian paintings and form an important thematic group.

Published References
  • Barbara Schmitz. Miniature Painting in Harat, 1570-1640. 2 vols. Ann Arbor. pl. 270.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. The Brush of the Masters: Drawings from Iran and India. Exh. cat. Washington, 1978. cat. 17, pp. 50-51.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. Emperors, Peris, and Demons in Near Eastern Art. Washington, November 1978. p. 146.
  • A.M. Kevorkian. Les Jardins du Desir: Sept Siecles de Peinture Persane. Paris. pp. 236-237.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use