Men Preparing Some Sort of Intoxicant in the Country

Art Historical Context

This delicate folio, titled *Men Preparing Some Sort ofoxicant in the Country offers a glimpse into rural life in the Islamic world during the mid-17th century. Created by an unknown artist, it depicts men engaged in the meticulous preparation of an intoxicant—perhaps a fermented brew or herbal concoction—in a pastoral setting. Rendered in ink, watercolor, and opaque (gouache) on paper, the small-scale work measures just 6¼ by 5 inches, inviting close contemplation typical of album leaves or codex pages from Persian or Mughal traditions. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art...