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Tan paper with remnants of ink drawing of dragon

On a wide, rectangular sheet of tan paper, we see faint ink marks from a drawing of a dragon. Because the ink is so faded, there is little discernable detail in the image apart from clusters of billowy, cloud-like shapes across the top half of the page. Some areas give us some hints as to the dragon’s shape; for example, repeated horizontal strokes at bottom right appear to be the wrinkles of the dragon’s clawed foot; dots and whiskery lines at center left may suggest the dragon’s snout.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2011.527
People
Attributed to Siyavush, Persian
Title
A Dragon
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
c. 1590
Places
Creation Place: Middle East, Iran, Isfahan
Period
Safavid period
Culture
Persian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/217256

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
8.5 x 15 cm (3 3/8 x 5 7/8 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Stuart Cary Welch, Jr., Warner, New Hampshire (by 1983-2008), by inheritance; to Edith I. Welch, Warner, New Hampshire (2008-2011), gift; to Harvard Art Museums 2011.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch
Accession Year
2011
Object Number
2011.527
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Although the surface of this drawing is abraded, it still preserves a virtuoso rendering of a dragon surrounded by foliage and banks of swirling clouds.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu