Arcadópolis
The Lovers
Reza Abbasi, 1630
What you see
Two seated lovers embrace at the center of the page. The figure on the left, in a brown robe and orange shawl, sits cross-legged, almost in the other's lap, and raises a hand to the partner's blue turban. The figure on the right, dressed in green, wraps both arms around the first. Cheek to cheek, their faces turn to the left.
The ground is a golden brown, and gold traces a tall plant curving behind them, clouds above and leaves on the right. At their feet sit a flask of wine, yellow fruit and a dish of purple fruit. Keep an eye out for the sprig of white flowers above their heads and the foot in a yellow slipper.
About Reza Abbasi
Reza Abbasi (c. 1565–1635), also called Aqa Riza, was the leading artist at the court of Shah Abbas I, who gave him the honorary title “Abbasi” in 1603. Although he also illustrated manuscripts, his specialty was single pages for albums, with one or two elegant figures drawn in a flowing, calligraphic line. He signed and dated many of his works, and his style influenced many later Persian painters, such as his pupil Mu'in Musavvir and his own son, Shafi Abbasi.
More by Reza Abbasi
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