"Fashioning an Empire: Safavid Textiles from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha" Will be on View December. xviii Through May fifteen, 2022

Qays (Majnun) First Glimpses Layli; (Author) Jami; Islamic republic of iran; 1556-1565; Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper; H ten Due west: 34.2 x 23.2 cm (13 7/16 10 9 one/8 in); Purchase

For the starting time time in the United States, visitors to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art can bask an exceptional group of 17th-century textiles and full-length oil portraits from Safavid Islamic republic of iran (1501–1722), on loan from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. Complemented past some of the finest illustrated manuscript paintings from the collection of the National Museum of Asian Art, "Fashioning an Empire: Safavid Textiles from the Museum of Islamic Fine art, Doha" underscores the importance of silk in the social, economical and religious life of 17th-century Iran and its part in positioning the empire at the nexus of a vibrant global exchange.

"We are delighted to welcome visitors to this landmark exhibition that tells such a poignant story of global and artistic exchange," said Chase F. Robinson, the museum'southward Matriarch Jillian Sackler Director.  "We are especially proud to highlight for the public the rich creative traditions of the Safavid empire, which ruled for over 200 years and under which Iran became a great cultural eye. Painting, ceramics, textiles and carpets, also equally compages, poesy and philosophy reached new levels of excellence under Safavid patronage."

"For the exhibition, I sought to create a sense of the remarkable cosmopolitanism of 17th-century Iran and communicate the ability of textiles as one of the almost successful conduits for transmitting new creative ideas between the East and the Due west," said Massumeh Farhad, chief curator and The Ebrahimi Family Curator of Persian, Arab, and Turkish Art at the National Museum of Asian Art. She is currently serving as the  senior associate managing director for research.

Textiles served equally powerful intermediaries for new designs and techniques, which stimulated a new Safavid pictorial linguistic communication. The exhibition also includes a number of Safavid carpets, one of the about desirable luxury bolt in Europe. Modified to satisfy Western tastes and customs, these carpets became recognizable indicators of status and wealth among the European aristocracy.

"These exquisite carpets and brocade textiles speak to the importance of Persian silk to the country of Iran as an export to the Ottoman Empire and Europe," said Julia Gonnella, director of the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha. "And their details delight on their own as well. It is very meaningful to have this collection on view in Washington, D.C., for audiences outside of Doha see these precious Safavid textiles and full-length portraits for the first time."

As visitors journey through the exhibition, they will encounter a range of Safavid luxury textiles, including silks made with gilt silver or silver-covered threads, the most expensive fabric on the European marketplace. These fabrics were often fashioned into vesture and furnishings and, nigh importantly, into "robes of honor." Such robes were distributed by the ruler only to high-ranking officials or visiting dignitaries as a sign of respect. Some of the silks in the exhibition carry stylized designs, others are inspired by more than naturalistic patterns, inspired by Indian models, while nevertheless others describe on Western examples, presenting a tremendous range of motifs and production. Three exceptional oil portraits, a format and technique imported from Europe past the 17th century, and a series of manuscript illustrations demonstrate how textiles were used.

This exhibition has received financial support from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha and Qatar Museums in commemoration of the Qatar-The states 2021 Year of Culture.

"Information technology has been a great laurels to work with the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art on 'Fashioning an Empire: Safavid Textiles from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha'" said Aisha Al Attiya, director of cultural affairs, Qatar Museums. "Over the past twelvemonth, as a part of the Qatar-The states 2021 Year of Culture, we have had the opportunity to introduce Qatari culture and traditions to the people of the The states. Nosotros are happy to share important works from Qatar Museums' renowned Museum of Islamic Fine art collection with American audiences and are delighted that this exhibition will open up to the public Dec. 18, Qatar National Twenty-four hour period. It is a neat way for us to close out our 2021 program."

The exhibition volition exist on view in the museum'due south Arthur G. Sackler Gallery (galleries 23–24) Dec. 18–May 15, 2022.

About the Smithsonian'south National Museum of Asian Art

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art is committed to preserving, exhibiting and interpreting exemplary works of art. It houses infrequent collections of Asian art, with more 45,000 objects dating from the Neolithic period to today. Renowned and iconic objects originate from China, Japan, Korea, South and Southeast Asia, the ancient Near Due east and the Islamic earth. The museum's Freer Gallery of Art too holds a significant group of American works of art largely dating to the late 19th century. Information technology boasts the world's largest drove of diverse works by James McNeill Whistler, including the famed Peacock Room. The National Museum of Asian Art is dedicated to increasing understanding of the arts of Asia through a broad portfolio of exhibitions, publications, conservation, inquiry and education.

The National Museum of Asian Art was the Smithsonian's first dedicated art museum and the first art museum on the National Mall. Since opening its doors as the Freer Gallery of Art in 1923, it has caused an international reputation. The museum is preparing for its centennial in 2023—a milestone celebration and a springboard for the museum's transformative vision for its next century, which will broaden and deepen the museum's touch and attain, both onsite and online.

About of the Museum of Islamic Fine art, Doha

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), opened in 2008, is one of the globe's premier institutions of Islamic art. Equally one of Qatar Museums' first projects, the MIA safeguards masterpiece collections of Islamic art spanning some 1,400 years and showcases them through extraordinary exhibitions. Representing the full scope of Islamic fine art from the 7th to the 20th centuries, the MIA drove includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones. The works accept been nerveless from three continents, including countries across the Middle East, and reaching Spain and China. The MIA presents a changing programme of exhibitions illustrating the heritage of the Islamic world and all-encompassing educational activities for school children and families, making the museum a vital part of the community. Designed by renowned Chinese American architect I.1000. Pei, MIA has become a famous museum in the region and internationally, alluring hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The museum announced in spring 2021 that information technology would embark on a facilities enhancement projection and reimagine and reinstall its permanent collection galleries to provide a more attainable, engaging and educational feel. The MIA volition reopen in fall 2022.  Gonnella has served as manager of the MIA since 2017.

Near Years of Culture

Under the leadership of its chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar Museums (QM) has adult the "Years of Culture" initiative—an annual international cultural exchange designed to deepen understanding betwixt nations and their people. Though the formal programming lasts just one year, the ties of friendship that are strengthened and formed are long-lasting. Civilization is 1 of the most effective tools to bring people closer together, encourage dialogue and deepen understanding between nations. Previous Years of Civilisation have included Qatar-Japan 2012, Qatar-Great britain 2013, Qatar-Brazil 2014, Qatar-Turkey 2015, Qatar-China 2016, Qatar-Germany 2017, Qatar-Russian federation 2018, Qatar-India 2019 and Qatar-France 2020.

The Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture follows the signing of a cooperative agreement Sept. 14, 2020, during the 2020 Qatar-U.s. Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C., betwixt Qatari Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the former Secretary of Country Michael Pompeo. This year'due south program was inaugurated at the Katara Opera House January. 16 with a special concert by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and the U.S. Air Forces Key Band (AFCENT), with a special piece equanimous by Dana al-Fardan and performed by the AFCENT band. Led by Joo Immature Oh, the recently appointed concertmaster of the Qatar Combo Orchestra, the program, which began with the national anthems of both countries, featured a diverseness of Qatari and American compositions.

Qatar-U.s. 2021 Year of Culture is planned in collaboration with leading institutions in Qatar and the United states, including Qatar Museums, the Embassy of Qatar in the United States, the Diplomatic mission of the Us in Qatar, Qatar'due south Ministry building of Civilisation and Sport, Qatar Foundation, the National Tourism Council, Doha Film Establish, Qatar National Library, Katara, the Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC), the Supreme Council for Delivery and Legacy and Qatar Football game Clan.

The Qatar-United states 2021 Year of Civilization is supported past Qatar Museums, with platinum sponsors Exxon Mobil and Qatar Airways.

About Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for fine art and civilization, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations and programs. QM preserves, restores and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Center East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents and visitors.

Nether the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant eye for the arts, culture and didactics in the Middle East and across. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage ecology stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Fine art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival. Time to come projects include the shortly to open iii-two-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and Dadu, Children'south Museum of Qatar.

Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM besides initiates and supports projects—such every bit the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, way and blueprint M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.

Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.