The Rebellious Reformer: The Drawings And Paintings Of Riza-Yi Abbasi Of Isfahan

Description

Riza-yi ‘Abbasi stands with Bihzad as one of the greatest of Iranian artists. As the leading painter at the court of Shah ‘Abbas I (1587-1629), Riza often expressed the progressive mood of Safavid Iran in his work. During the early years of ‘Abbas’s Reign, when the Shah was occupied with the unification of the country, Riza’s paintings and drawings depicted the young, the hope of the future state. By the 1620s he had begun to copy drawings by Bihzad, the great Timurud painter, and he continued to produce many portraits of rare insight. Each stage of Riza’s development exerted enormous influence; working within the idiom he had popularized, Iranian artists maintained a distinctive style until the end of the seventeenth century, when Western attitudes and practices inundated the traditional art of Iran. Rebellious Reformer provides a complete catalog of Riza’s work and analyzes the relationship of his life to his stylistic development. All available extant works signed by or attributed to Riza are included.

About the Author

Sheila R. CanbyThis stunning book offers an introduction to and an exceptional view of an imposing collection of arts from across the Islamic world, highlighting outstanding examples of design, workmanship and craft in paintings and manuscripts, calligraphy, metalwork, ceramics, jade, glass, wood and ivory. The book opens with an explanation of the characteristics common to artistic creativity stretching back to the seventh century, from Spain to Indonesia. Works of superlative quality are then organised into chapters relating to central themes such as religion and belief, the supernatural and natural worlds, feasting, the hunt, war, music and power. The author explores each magnificent artwork in turn, providing cultural context and pointing out special features. By showing the complete artwork as well as enlarged details – sometimes virtually invisible to the naked eye – intriguing comparisons can be drawn and juxtapositions made between seemingly unrelated media. The selection of illustrations evokes the hand and eye of the most accomplished artists of the Islamic world.