Portrait of a man, by Shaykh `Abbāsī

Portrait of a man, by Shaykh `Abbāsī. Admired and honoured by Shah `Abbas II, the artist Shaykh `Abbāsī created many strikingly refined portraits. This elegant image shows a young man in striped coat and turban, with sword and jewelled dagger at his waist, standing in a landscape. Shaykh `Abbāsī’s dated signature repeats his usual formula referring to the shah’s favour (“he acquired worth once he became Shaykh `Abbāsī”). Royal permission to use the name “`Abbāsī” must have added market value to the artist’s work, as well as prestige. Album folio, ink, colours and gold on paper, mounted on card, painting of a young man in striped coat and turban, with sword and jewelled dagger at his waist, standing in landscape, signed Shaykh `Abbāsī ("bahā gereft cho gardīd Shaykh `Abbāsī, 1076", reserved cartouche on right), within ruled borders on successive frames of gold-flecked peach, cream and dark blue paper, all mounted on plain grey card with leather strip along left edge, blank paper verso, Isfahan, Iran, dated 1076H, 1665-1666.