Portrait of Ḥakím Shifá'í, Isfahan, Safavid Iran, 1630-1640

Painting. Portrait. A doctor, Ḥakím Shifá'í, sitting crosslegged. Painted in gouache and gilded on paper.
School of/style of: Mu`in Musavvir
Hakim Shifa'i
False signature of Riza-yi 'Abbasi
Iran, Isfahan, c. 1640
Gouache on paper
Inscribed: 'Portrait of Hakim Shifa'i, the most humble Riza-yi 'Abbasi drew it'

Even after his death in 1635, Riza-yi 'Abbasi continued to be emulated by Isfahan painters. At least three versions of this portrait of an eminent physician at the court of Shah 'Abbas I (r. 1587-1629) are extant. As with the portrait of Sarkhan Beg, the artist has not included any of the doctor's professional implements. Rather the artist has emphasized his character and status by accentuating his long, flat rose and depicting his extravagant turban.