Princess with Wine Bottle and Cup (recto); Persian Verses (verso)
Unknown Artist
c. 1550–1600 (recto); c. 1450–1500 (verso)
Medium
opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
37.1 × 24.8 cm · recto image: 12.2 × 5.7 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Edward L. Whittemore Fund
Accession Number
1947.496
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Single-page depictions of courtly figures became popular in Iran during the 1500s. The subject here conveys Safavid ideals of female beauty. Long dark hair falls in jeweled braids down to her ankles, while shorter tendrils frame her full, smooth face. She is shown in the three-quarter profile favored in Persian painting. The contrasting colors of the bright blue of her robe and the orange of her sash and tunic beneath are features of Safavid fashion.