Portrait of a Lady Holding a Flower 1540 - 1600

Muhammadi of Herat made this painting of a lady holding a flower in Persia sometime between the mid-16th and early 17th century. The portrait gives us a glimpse into the courtly culture of the Safavid empire. Persian society at this time was highly stratified, and art often served to reinforce the power and status of the ruling elite. In terms of institutional context, manuscript illustration was a central activity in the royal workshop, or *kitabkhana*, and artists were often directly employed by the court. The refined details of the woman’s clothing reflect the luxurious textiles and other precious materials that flowed into Persia along the Silk Road. By depicting her holding a flower Muhammadi subtly gestures to the aesthetic values of Persian society, where poetry, gardens, and idealized beauty were highly valued. To understand this painting more deeply, scholars might consult historical texts, court records, and examples of Persian literature to understand the cultural codes that governed the production and reception of art in this period.