Independent compositions tended to be less costly and labor-intensive to produce than illustrated manuscripts and therefore enjoyed the patronage of a broader, more diverse audience. In addition to the court, members of the Safavid elite, such as physicians, merchants, and provincial governors, began to commission and collect individual folios of painting and poetry, which they gathered in albums. The genre also allowed patrons greater freedom in the creative process as they were now able to express their own distinct taste and aesthetic preferences with each folio. next page

Prince Reclining Attributed to Aqa Mirak Iran, Tabriz, ca. 1530 Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper 33.6 x 21.2 cm (13 1/4 x 8 3/8 in.) Purchase—Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, S1986.300

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art Exhibition List | Online Exhibitions All presented material is copyright © Smithsonian Institution, 2008 except where otherwise noted.