Shah Tahmasp I (1514–1576) Seated in a Landscape
Unknown Artist
c. 1575
Medium
opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
image: 14.3 × 8.9 cm · sheet: 30 × 21.1 cm
Classification
Manuscript
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust
Accession Number
1917.1078
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Shah Tahmasp I, the second ruler of Iran’s Safavid dynasty, is shown kneeling pensively on a carpet under a willow on the banks of a stream, a book at his side. The luxurious fabrics of his robe and his bolster pillow, with sprigs and cloud motifs in gold, indicate his wealth and privilege. Even the fine white cloth of his turban is edged in gold, topped by a small cluster of jewels.