FIVE IMAMI-STYLE PAINTINGS WITH LITERARY AND HUNTING SCENES MADE FOR THE WESTERN EXPORT MARKET
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Isfahan, Iran, first half 20th century, most paintings signed Abu'l Qasim Imami

Opaque pigments, ink and white wash on paper, comprising four horizontal compositions depicting a variety of literary scenes including the trial by fire of Siyavush (Shahnameh); the Twelve Brothers of Joseph (Yusuf) plotting against him and convincing their father Jacob (Yacub) to give him away, the young Joseph painted beardless and of much smaller size compared to the rest of the characters; a hunting scene with lions and gazelles in the wilderness; and a traveller on horseback coming to town; and another painting in vertical format with polo players on horseback, four out of five paintings signed in black ink Abu'l Qasim Imami (miniature size), three paintings mounted, glazed and framed, the other two loose, the largest 34.5cm x 39cm including the frame.