A maiden with a parrot, attributed to Muhammad Isma'il, Qajar Persia, dated 1852-53, Muhammad Isma'il Isfahani, between 1852 and 1853

A maiden with a parrot, attributed to muhammad isma'il qajar persia, dated ah 1269/ad 1852-53 watercolour on paper, inscribed in nasta'liq script 332 x 193 mm. The inscription reads: farmayesh-e 'alijah ibrahim bayg tofang-dar va raqam-e kamtarin muhammad isma'il isfahani dar 1269, 'the order of his exalted ibrahim bayg, the gun-bearer, and the work of the most humble, muhammad isma'il isfahani in 1269 (1852-3). ' muhammad isma'il is one of the most famous qajar court painters, who received the title naqqash-bashi (chief painter) from nasir al-din shah in around 1858 and whose recorded works are dated between ah 1256/ad 1840-41 and ah 1288/ad 1871-72). For his last work, a mirror case depicting imam 'ali, see l. Diba (ed. ), royal persian paintings: the qajar epoch 1785-1925, new york 1998, pp. 257-258, no. 84. For a discussion on his biography and his works, see: n. D. Khalili, b. W. Robinson, t. Stanley, lacquer of the islamic lands, part ii, p. 46; and for a piece signed as on the present lot, see p. 68, no. 257. See also karimzaded tabrizi, the lives & art of old painters of iran, vol. 1, london 1985, pp. 66-76. Please note: the catalogue should read 'by muhammad isma'il' and not 'attributed to'. Date: between 1852 and 1853.