Explore the exhibition Falcons: The Art of the Hunt in this gallery talk with exhibition curator Massumeh Farhad and Falconer Ayesha Al Mansoori from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Swift, fierce, and loyal, falcons have been celebrated for millennia. In ancient Egypt, they were closely associated with Horus, the god of the heavens. By the early eighth century in Syria, falcons were being trained to become skillful hunters at the royal courts. The art of falconry soon spread across the rest of the Islamic world, to the Byzantine empire in the west, and to the east as far as China. Falconry is still practiced in many societies today, especially in the Arab world. It is one of the most valued traditional sports in the UAE, embodying values of endurance and patience. Falconry skills have been passed down in families, usually among men but with increasing participation from women. Falconer Ayesha Al Mansoori will speak about the heritage of falconry, how she learned these skills, and how she transmits them to the next generation. Curator Massumeh Farhad will reflect on a selection of artworks from ancient Egypt to China that offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of Falcons. This talk is offered in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s program United Arab Emirates: Living Landscape/Living Memory. 

Image:
A rider hunting birds with a falcon, India, Rajasthan, Kishangarh, early 18th century, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, Freer Gallery of Art, F1907.212