Riza Abbasi Riza Abbasi (circa 1565–1635), one of the most celebrated Persian painters, is considered the unrivaled master of the genre. Trained by his father, the artist Ali Asghar, Riza joined the court of Shah Abbas I in his youth. In 1603, he received the honorific title "Abbasi" (i.e., of Abbas) from his royal patron but left the court shortly afterward. According to several contemporary accounts, Riza was temperamental by nature and reportedly preferred the company of wrestlers, libertines, and other "lowlifes" to that of courtiers. He rejoined the royal atelier (workshop) sometime around 1610 and remained in the shah's service until his death in 1635. next page

Barefoot Youth Signed by Riza Abbasi (ca. 1565–1635) Iran, probably Isfahan, ca. 1600 Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper 30.0 x 18.0 cm (11 13/16 x 7 1/16 in.) Lent by The Art and History Trust   LTS1995.2.78

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