Ancient Near East, Persia, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. Five finely executed paintings, delineated with gouache and/or watercolor, depicting various hunting and genre scenes, including a young man on horseback watching a woman bath in a body of water surrounded by colorful fish below, an erudite man reading in a garden, a figure holding a bird with a hunting dog peering into the distance, a horse and rider surrounded by avians and flora with two onlookers, and finally, a scene with five figures in lush natural environs, each one making dramatic hand gestures. The paintings are set in matching gold-tone frames with fabric-covered mattes to create a wonderful presentation. Size of largest: 7.5" L x 5" W (19 cm x 12.7 cm) Size of largest frame: 11.875" L x 9.2" W (30.2 cm x 23.4 cm)
Interestingly, Persian art, although under the influence of Islam, never completely forbade the inclusion of the human figure. Furthermore, the depiction of figures - oftentimes in groups - is a common practice in the miniature tradition. Scholars believe that this was because the miniature was used as a private form. These images were kept in a book or album and only shown to a select audience. For this reason, artists could be more free when creating miniatures than when creating wall paintings which were viewed by a wider audience. The Koran (Qur'an) and other religious texts were not illustrated in this way as a rule; however, other works of literature and histories at times included figural scenes.
Miniature painting emerged in Persian art during the 13th century. Following the Mongol conquests, the genre displayed strong Chinese influence, and the tradition reached its peak during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Persian miniature painting influenced other Islamic miniature traditions, including the Ottoman miniature created in Turkey as well as the Mughal miniature of India.
Provenance: private Evergreen, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA, collection, acquired 1960 to 2000
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#166306
Condition
The paintings have not been examined outside the frames. They appear to have normal toning and slight waviness commensurate with age. Otherwise, the imagery, coloration, and inscriptions are very good. Minor scuffs and age wear to the frames, but all are intact and wired for suspension, so ready to display.