Two Old Men in Discussion Outside a Hut

Ali Quli Jabbadar was an Iranian artist of Georgian origin in the 17th century. Jabbadar was known for his unique style, which was influenced by several Eastern and Western art schools. In most of Jabbadar's paintings, we can see a combination of Persian, Indian, and European art in each work. For example, in this painting "Two Old Men in Discussion Outside a Hut", we can see the frames surrounding the artwork decorated with different styles and forms of flowers, which was one of Jabbadar's distinctive features and was repeated in many of his paintings. Moving to the painting itself, we can see the influence of European art in his use of one point perspective and the contrast between light and darkness. Two Old Men in Discussion Outside a Hut, The painting was created in 1085 AH, 1674 – 1675 CE. The painting depicts a night time scene of two old men sitting on the ground in front of a small wooden hut beneath a tree, in a peaceful setting. It appears that they are engaged in a conversation. The first old man, on the left, is sitting in a squatting position with his arms wrapped around his legs. He is wearing a green robe, a red cap wrapped with a yellow turban, and we can see two books in front of him, one closed and one open. Beside him is a small water vessel, while a white cat is sitting next to his feet. The second old man is wearing a purple robe and a white turban, with his hand extended toward his companion in a gesture suggesting the conversation taking place between them. Under the tree, outside the area illuminated by the candlelight between the two old men, we can see a boy sitting in a squatting position with his hands clasped, seemingly listening to the conversation. We can also see two white doves above the small hut. At the bottom center of the painting, there is a text that says: "مجلس شب و دميدن صبح كاذب — رقم غلام علی قلی جبادار — ۱۰۸۵" A nocturnal gathering, and the breaking of the false dawn - rendered by the servant 'Ali Quli Jabbadar' - year 1085 AH. The painting is surrounded by frames and bands decorated with golden floral motifs, as well as another frame richly decorated with natural flowers in bright colors. The painting is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (gallery 462) in New York city as part of the Theodore M. Davis Collection, bequeathed in 1915.