Royal Horse Inspection
Safavid dynasty (1501–1722), late 17th century
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
Page: 46.8 × 31.1 cm, Painting: 23.1 × 17 cm (Page: 18 1/2 × 12 1/4 in., Painting: 9 1/8 × 6 11/16 in.)
Classification
miniature painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
76869
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This painting shows the royal stables in Isfahan. In the upper half of the work, the Persian king, or shah (sitting next to the column on the right), has gathered on a platform with five kneeling courtiers and various attendants serving fruit and wine. The king is identified in the artist’s signature at the upper left as Shah ‘Abbas II, who died in 1666, before this painting was executed. The ruler’s status is emphasized by his golden halo and by the opulent gold and jeweled vessels placed befor...