Sivayush and Jarira Wedded
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Gouache |
| Current Location: | Meteopolitan Museum of Art, New York, United States of America |
| Location History: | Shah Tahmasp, Iran (until 1568; gifted to Selim II); Sultan Selim II (Turkish), Istanbul (from 1568); Sultan Selim III, Istanbul (by 1800); Baron Edmond James de Rothschild (French), Paris (by 1903–d. 1934); his son, Baron Maurice de Rothschild (French), Paris and Geneva (1934–d. 1957); his son, Baron Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris and Geneva (1957–59; consigned to Stiebel Ltd.); [ Stiebel Ltd., New York; sold to Houghton in 1959]; Arthur A. Houghton Jr., New York (1959–70; gifted to MMA) |
Mir Musavvir in his early paintings, was profoundly influenced by a regional aesthetic evident in his geometric ordering, his detailed depiction of architectural elements, and his unusual sensitivity to the everyday object. Mīr Muṣavvir was a prominent 16th-century artist of the Safavid school based in Tabrīz. The painting is from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) where the Iranian prince Siyavush had been forced to seek exile in Turan, the traditional enemy of his country. Observing his homesickness and loneliness,the wise old Turanian commander-in-chief, Piran, arranges a marriage with his daughter Jarira, and for a short period successful happiness, the young prince can forget his looming troubles. Here the artist has charmingly conveyed the tenderness and intimacy of the young couple, leaning towards each other and holding hands. For the rest, the palace scene at night conveys an impression of close observation and naturalism. The ladies at the left are apparently comfortable yet alert, waiting to serve the newly wed couple; the courtiers at the right are listening to music, drinking, conversing and dozing, a servant attending the flaming torch, which is being watched by the ladies enjoying the night air at windows or on a balcony. The antecedents for this style can be found in the Timurid school of Herat in the late fifteenth century.
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