c. 1610-1615

Young Man Leading a Camel

In all probability, this work was made specifically for inclusion in an album of collected paintings and calligraphies. As such, it functions as a stand-alone image rather than as an illustration to an accompanying narrative text. While the man and the woman are rendered in opaque watercolor, the human and animal figures that make up the camel are executed in black ink, transparent washes, and gold. In juxtaposing these two artistic techniques, the artist showcases his ability to wield the qalam in a variety of ways to achieve quite different effects.