The Three Graces

Not Botticelli’s, Rubens’ or Canova’s Three Graces, but Danah Al Khalifa’s: Diva, Danika, Daniah. Photos by Jenny Lees. Daniah with the pretty face and the dark mane is the youngest, and is now with Lyman Doyle in Oregon. Diva, the oldest, now dead, is the fleabitten (marshoosha) with the good bone, large eye and broad forehead. Danika is the “yellow one” (safra) and the most refined of the three. She is still with me in France. Diva is the dam of Darak (with me in France) and Dafuq (with Lyman in Oregon). Danika is the dam of Daniah and Danah (a bay, very different from the rest, also with Lyman Doyle, not pictured). Dhahabiah, not pictured, is Danika’s full sister and the dam of Daneer (also with Lyman). Danika and Dhahabiah are the daughters of Deedee (dead), who was Diva’s sister. It’s confusing, even to me, but in a good way. There was truly a Sitah type at Danah Al Khalifa’s.