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Bahram Gur and Azadeh

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor

The lyrical paintings of this poetic cycle depict love stories from the classic works of celebrated Iranian poets, biblical and Qur'anic episodes, and hunting vignettes. Collectively, they are valuable documents of the original architectural formats and narrative programs of eighteenth-century domestic interiors. Such works were viewed as visual complements for poetry that the host, his guests, or storytellers would recite to entertain each other at convivial gatherings in intimate settings. Although the compositions of these works are derived from manuscript painting, their treatment differs considerably: the scale of the figures in relation to the background is larger, while the number of figures and degree of ornamental patterning is reduced.

MEDIUM Oil on canvas
  • Place Made: Shiraz, Iran
  • DATES mid 18th century
    PERIOD Zand
    DIMENSIONS 36 x 35 in. (91.4 x 88.9cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1997.108.6
    CREDIT LINE Bequest of Irma B. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, Charles K. Wilkinson
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1929, provenance not yet documented; before circa 1929, acquired by Ernst Emil Herzfeld of Tehran, Iran; before 1948, purchased from Ernst Emil Herzfeld by Charles K. Wilkinson of New York, NY; 1986, inherited from Charles K. Wilkinson by Irma Bezold Wilkinson (Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson) of New York; October 16, 1997, bequeathed by Irma Bezold Wilkinson to the Brooklyn Museum.
    Provenance FAQ
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Arts of the Islamic World, 2nd floor
    CAPTION Bahram Gur and Azadeh, mid 18th century. Oil on canvas, 36 x 35 in. (91.4 x 88.9cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Irma B. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, Charles K. Wilkinson, 1997.108.6 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1997.108.6_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 1997.108.6_IMLS_SL2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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