Drawings17th century

A Camel

c. 1678

Artists

Mu’in MusavvirArtist

Description

This fine drawing of a camel and a watchful man is executed in black ink and highlighted with pink and yellow watercolor. The camel is tied from its forefeet to a cut tree trunk. It also has a chain tied to its head which is hanging loose. The camel’s long hair and facial details are well executed although a calligraphic quality of line is felt in the depiction of its lower torso and feet. Possibly the guardian or owner of the camel is shown behind a hill looking over the camel. His face is more sketchily executed than that of the camel. The drawing is signed by the artist Mu’in Musavvir and dated to the 28th day of Shavval 1089 (13 December 1678).

Classification

Drawings

Medium

Brown-black ink and opaque watercolor on off-white laid paper

Period

Safavid period

Century

17th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

28 x 19 cm (11 x 7 1/2 in.)

Provenance

Rabineau, Collector. Stuart Cary Welch, Jr., Warner, New Hampshire (by 1965-2008), by inheritance; to Edith I. Welch, Warner, New Hampshire (2008-2011), gift; to Harvard Art Museums 2011.

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