A SEATED PRINCESS, PERSIA OR CENTRAL ASIA, POSSIBLY HERAT, EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Sold in these rooms, 22 April 2015, Lot 131.

Two further paintings depicting a similar subject are in the Fogg Art Museum (attributable to Mirza 'Ali, formerly in the collection of Louis J. Cartier) and formerly in the Art and History Trust Collection (attributed to Mohammadi, published in S.C. Welch, Wonders of the Age, Cambridge, Mass., 1979, pp.184-5, no.70 and Soudavar 1992, p.237, no.92 respectively). Both of the above paintings, dating roughly to the mid-sixteenth century, share various similarities with the present work. All are wearing the Safavid crown, worn like a tiara with gold fringe and terminal, each sits with one knee raised with just one foot visible, and the figures rest one arm on their knee, the folds of their loose garments hanging down over their hand. The main difference in composition between the paintings is that the present version and Mohammadi figure both face left, whilst the Fogg princess faces right. Also, both published paintings show the sitter holding a sprig of flowers, whereas the current work has the figure with merely a raised finger. She also holds a slightly more austere expression in comparison with the other versions.

Whilst the decoration of the robes vary between the portraits, the style is basically the same, with delicate patterns in gold enlivening both the inner and outer garments. The exaggerated upturned toe of the present princess's slipper is unusual, compared to the more usual subtler variety, and suggests potential remodelling at a later date, possibly in restoring some flaked original paint.