Reza Abbasi
Reza Abbasi, in full Aqa Reza Reza-e 'abbasi, sometimes known as Reza (1565 - 1635) was the most renowned Persian painter and calligrapher of the Isfahan school, which flourished during the Safavid period under the patronage of Shah Abbas I.
Princely_Youth_and_Dervish.jpg
From the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Life
He is considered to be one of the foremost Persian painters of all time. He received his training in the atelier of his father, Ali Asghar, and was received into the workshop of Shah Abbas I at a young age.
At the age of 38 he received the honorific title of Abbasi from his patron, but soon left the Shah's employ, apparently seeking greater freedom to associate with simple people. In 1610 he returned to the court and continued in the employ of the Shah until his death.
Art
His specialty was the Persian miniature, with a preference for naturalistic subjects.
Today his surviving works can be found in many of the major museums of the western world, such as the Smithsonian, the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.