Saadi 1958

Hossein Behzad made this ‘Saadi’ miniature, probably with watercolor and ink, in 1958. There’s a lightness of touch to the application of colour, the details defined with sharp, dark outlines, giving an impression of delicacy and refinement. It’s clear Behzad knew his way around a brush. The man’s red robe, for instance, is a series of fluid washes, a careful balancing act of tone and texture, from the shadows in the folds to the almost translucent highlights. Take a closer look at the tree on the left, notice how the tiny white blossoms are meticulously rendered, giving the impression of spring in full bloom. It’s this attention to detail that really brings the scene to life. Reminds me of the work of Arthur Rackham. Like Rackham, Behzad invites us into a world of fantasy, where earthly delights and spiritual visions coexist. And like all great art, it invites us to linger, to dream, and to imagine.