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Iran / Persia: Two lovers, the woman making burn marks on the man's arm as an indication of devotion and loyalty. Afzal al-Husayni, 1648

Iran / Persia: Two lovers, the woman making burn marks on the man's arm as an indication of devotion and loyalty. Afzal al-Husayni, 1648

The Safavid artist Afzal al-Husayni, a student of Reza Abbasi, creates a striking composition in which the focus, in vibrant colors, is on two lovers, while the decorative background is obscured by golden foliage.

The woman is administering love burn marks on her lover's arm, which during the Safavid era were a sign of a lover’s sincerity and devotion.

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