brush and ink with some use of gouache, heightened with gold, laid down on an album page, with gold-flecked inner borders, with outer margins filled with large interlacing vegetation in gold, numberless inventory label on reverse 'H. Monif, 640 Madison Av., New York'

H. Monif, New York (label on reverse)

In generally good overall condition, some minor stains, slight fading to blue of background sky, discolouration to edges of album page, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Muhammad Qasim was one of the leading artists of the first generation after Reza-i Abbasi alongside Muhammad Yusuf, Muhammad 'Ali and Muhammad Muhsin. He flourished in the first half of the seventeenth century, and in recent years it has been suggested that he worked in both Mashhad and Isfahan (see Canby 2009, p.251).

This miniature can be compared to a number of others by the artist in terms of both execution and composition. A miniature entitled 'Chastisement of a Pupil' is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (published in New York 2011, pp.226-7, no.153) which shares with the present image the form of the plants and leaves, as well as the characteristic tree, often seen in drawings by Muhammad Qasim, in which the trunk is drawn with more or less horizontal rings following the contours of the trunk, with "stylized foliage like paper cut-outs..." (M.L. Swietochowski and S. Babaie, Persian Drawings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1989, pp.78-79, no.34). These features can also be witnessed on a drawing of a bird perched on the trunk of a tree by the same artist, sold in these rooms 29 April 1998, lot 64, as well as a portrait of 'Shah 'Abbas and a Pageboy' signed by Muhammad Qasim in the Musée du Louvre (see Canby op.cit. pp.250-1, no.123).

Another trait of the artist can also be perceived in the roundness of the lady's face, a style Muhammad Qasim often used when depicting the more youthful. The figure overall can be compared to another drawing attributable to the artist offered in these rooms, 3 October 2012, lot 79. In both instances the lady wears a similar hat, with the same partial use of blue on the inside hem of the cloak. The landscapes, each with river and tree, also bear comparison. 

Further drawings and paintings by Muhammad Qasim are in the Art and History Trust Collection (see Soudavar 1992, p.293, nos.120-1); The British Museum (see Canby 1999, p.138, no.128), and sold in these rooms 1 April 2009, lot 28; 12 October 2000, lot 62, 22 April 1999, lot 49 and 3 April 1978, lot 40.