Each petal characterizes one of the 32 letters of the Persian alphabet. Their arrangement on the willowy stems evokes the unique intonation of the language, which has a cadence reminiscent of a song.
Persian is one of the oldest languages still spoken in the modern era, and the Persian literary tradition, including the works of poets Ferdowsi and Rumi, retains considerable import.
Poesia Persiana is dedicated to Omar Khayyam, the eleventh-century Persian philosopher, poet, mathematician, and astronomer.
©2008, acrylic on canvas 36" x 60" (91.5cm x 152.5cm)