thevintagearab:Drawing: Ink and unbleached pergamanata on Paper. Title: A Glass of Abu NuwasThis pie
thevintagearab:Drawing: Ink and unbleached pergamanata on Paper. Title: A Glass of Abu NuwasThis piece features a glass of wine, illustrated using four lines taken from one of the “Khamriyyat” of Abu Nuwas. Born in 756 in what is now Iran, Abu Nuwas became one of the most famous Arab poets for his poems about religion, women, wine and debauchery. He’s credited for influencing many of the famous Arab and Persian poets, most notably including Hafez and Omar Khayyam. A debaucherous caricature of him was a prominent character in “One Thousand and One Nights”. This piece was featured on the cover of Alex Rowell’s translation of several of Abu Nuwas’ peoms entitled “Vintage Humour”, Hurst Publishers 2017. Mr Rowell’s translation of these lines reads as follows:Give back my glass, for you twoDo not grasp its utilityYou’ve tried to make me fear AllahBut my fear’s offset by His mercyRebuke not the wine, for you knowNot what it brings devoteesIf it gave you what it gives me, you’dMix it with tears of ecstasy (via Saatchi Art: Glass of Abu El Nawas Drawing by Everitte Barbee) -- source link