Seated Sufi c. 1595

Curator: This drawing, attributed to Aqa Riza, sometimes known as Riza 'Abbasi, depicts a seated Sufi. It’s currently part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: There's an ethereal quality to this image; it's as if the Sufi is emerging from the paper itself. The linework feels so delicate, almost like a preliminary sketch. Curator: Exactly, and the drawing’s simplicity allows us to focus on the artist’s process. The materials used – likely ink on paper – speak to a tradition of manuscript illustration and portraiture within Persianate visual culture. Editor: I'm also struck by the sitter's gaze. There's a sense of quiet contemplation, but also a directness that suggests a complex relationship between the Sufi order and the societal norms of the time. Curator: These depictions often functioned within specific patronage networks, circulating within courtly or scholarly circles, impacting their meaning and reception. Editor: I think this piece encapsulates a moment of quiet introspection, and its minimalist approach offers a powerful glimpse into a particular social and artistic environment. Curator: Indeed. It highlights the interwoven nature of spirituality, artistry, and socio-political context.