Persian Miniature Painting: Two Safavid Princes or A Self-Portrait? Self portrait of Aqa Mirak with Shah Tahmasp Tabriz, Circa 1530

"Two Safavid Princes" or A self-portrait? Art of the Persian Court is one of the great books on Persian Miniatures. Soudavar is a thorough careful scholar and his insight is inspirational. In his discussion of this piece he suggests that these are two Safavid Princes. That is a safe answer but I can not help but suspect that this is a self portrait of Aqa Mirak (right) with Shah Tahmasp. For a related miniature: Plate 62: Portrait of the Prince Attribution: Aqa Mirak Tabriz, Circa 1530 Soudavar, Abolala. Art of the Persian Court. New York: Rizzoli, 1992, plate 69.

N.B. My ongoing translation and commentary on "La Miniature En Orient" is a work in progress. I am publishing it one plate at a time in no particular order. I flip through the book and look for one that looks fun and then I do that one next. I suppose the order in which I publish them says something about my taste in art. My primary goal with this project is not to teach you about Islamic Art but rather it is to teach myself a little about Islamic Art. If I make an error please let me know. I am also doing the project this way so that if I make an error perhaps one of you will catch it for me. By the way I also decided that this would be a chance to learn a little more French, since I barely know enough to make it through a menu in a French Restaurant.

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

Islamic art and Persian Miniature Paintings

More Oriental Rug Notes by Barry O'Connell

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

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