An Emaciated Horse Harassed by Birds

Unknown artist

mid-17th century

marbling, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper

Aga Khan Museum

An emaciated horse with a marbled coat is depicted in profile, with two birds nearby. One bird perches on the horse's back, while another flies above. An emaciated horse with a marbled coat is depicted in profile, with two birds nearby. One bird perches on the horse's back, while another flies above. Further Reading The starving horse belongs to an iconographic tradition in Islamic art. Horses of this type were well-known in China during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), and were a vestige of the Song dynasty (960–1279).[3] The motif probably came into the repertoire of Iranian artists during the Mongol period through interaction with Chinese art. Central Asiatic examples in the nomadic context were created by Siyah Qalam in the 15th century.[4] Reza-e ‘Abbasi’s example of