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1. THE LION HUNT Iran (Safavid) 17th century Height: 24.4 cm Width: 24.4 cm |
A tile in the cuerda seca technique finely painted in colours of yellow, green, sky blue, turquoise, black and ochre against a cobalt blue ground and depicting an archer on horseback taking aim at a ferocious lion approaching from the rear. The elegantly dressed rider wears a vibrant yellow tunic with horizontal black stripes, turquoise buttons and a turquoise sash, from which is suspended an empty quiver, decorated with a scrolling white cloudband against a cobalt ground. A further quiver in green with an ochre strip to the top containing four arrows hangs from his back. The empty quiver suggests that we have interrupted a battle in progress, as if the archer has already fired at the fast approaching beast a number of times. He wears jet black trousers and sits upon a turquoise and ochre saddle. Finely balanced, he has twisted round so that he can take aim at the lion just behind him who seems to be in mid leap, almost touching the extended rear leg of the archer’s steed. Both animals seem to be in mid air, as if leaping over the flowing stream below. The horse’s tail is horizontal suggesting great speed, and is tied delicately to its end in a bow. His sky blue body contrasts with the richer cobalt blue ground behind as he races past the tall thin leafy stems to the left of the tile. The lion also looks prepared for battle, his mouth wide open, a mixture possibly of both exhaustion from the chase and in preparation to pounce upon the horse and rider in front. His two front teeth are prominent, as are the large claws on each paw. His eyes are wide open and stare directly at the archer as if ready to strike. The scene is a captured moment, almost photographic in its depiction of the lion mid leap whilst the archer has his bow tort, poised to fire upon the approaching animal. All the elements of this beautifully poised design contribute to the sense of speed and action. As the viewer we are left wondering who will succeed in this finely balanced battle of man versus beast. Who is chasing whom exactly? It is these unanswerable questions which help create a sense of intrigue in the viewer’s mind. |