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Miniature Illustrations of Islamic Heritage

Ornate miniature paintings depicting historical narratives from Islamic culture, showcasing intricate designs and vibrant colors that narrate cultural tales.

Mount Safâ, near Mecca, f. 115v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Sindukht and Sam, Qadimi and Abd ul Vahhab, 1530

"Zulaykha with her Handmaidens After her Second Dream of Yusuf", Folio from a Yusuf and Zulaykha 16th century. "Zulaykha with her Handmaidens After her Second Dream of Yusuf", Folio from a Yusuf and Zulaykha. 16th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Attributed to Iran. Codices

"Khusrau Parviz's Charge against Bahram Chubina", Folio 707v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1530-35 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Eventually a large army from Rum joins Khusrau Parviz and his Iranians and marches toward Azarbaijan. After a Rumi hero dies on the first day of battle, Khusrau decides to take a small band of Iranians with him the next day. Although Bahram Chubina enters the fray with only three soldiers, he puts Khusrau and his men to flight.. "Khusrau Parviz's Charge against Bahram Chubina", Folio 707v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452181

The death of the prophet Zakarîyâ (Zacharias), who is killed when the tree in which he is hiding is sawed in two, fol. 163. 1577. text. Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection

'Ali Receives the Paladin 'Adnan, Folio from the Khavarannameh of Muhammad Ibn Husam 'Ali Receives the Paladin 'Adnan, Folio from the Khavarannameh of Muhammad Ibn Husam, ca. 1477. Ink and opaque watercolors on paper, 8 11/16 x 6 1/2 in. These pages belong to a dispersed illustrated manuscript and the first known copy of the Khavarannama by the poet Muhammad ibn Husam (d. circa 1470). Modeled on the Iranian national epic, the Shahnama (Book of Kings), the Khavarannama details the life of cAli, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet and the most important figure in Shica Islam after Muhammad. The manuscript originally contained 155 miniatures, which appear to have been executed some years after the text and display the vibrant colors and lush vegetation characteristic of the Turkman painting tradition of Shiraz. In one of the paintings shown here, the military leader cAdnan visits cAli, depicted as a enthroned king; the other shows a horseman lassoing a wild donkey as his companions

Mount Safâ, near Mecca, f. 115v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Yusuf and Zulaikha - romantic poem. Jami (1414-1492), poet, unknown, calligrapher

Kay Khusrow's Reception, Qadimi, 1530

Mount al-Wâsit, in Andalusia, Spain top; Mount Balah Bashîm, near Qazvîn bottom, f. 120v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

"Gushtasp Proves His Archery before Caesar," Folio 404r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1525-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Next, Gushtasp joins the Rumi champions in an archery contest, and his skill catches the attention of the caesar. In a meeting with the caesar, Gushtasp identifies himself and admits that he has performed the feats of valor on behalf of his brothers-in-law. The caesar forgives him and invites him and his wife back to the palace. Privately, however, he worries about Gushtasp's mysterious origins.. "Gushtasp Proves His Archery before Caesar," Folio 404r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452159

"The Execution of Mazdak", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Page: 8 1/16 x 5 1/4 in. (20.5 x 13.3 cm)Painting: 1 5/8 x 4 5/16 in. (4.1 x 10.9 cm). Date: ca. 1330-40.The Sasanian prince who was later called Nushirvan, believed the popular religion of Mazdak to be an evil heresy. Thus he planted Mazdak's closest followers head down in a walled garden so that Mazdak might see the fruit of the evil seeds he had scattered. The prince then had a false prophet hanged upside down and slain with arrows, though no arrows are in sight here. Mazdak and an attendant look at the scene at right. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Illustration of The blind Dhritarashtra attacking the statue of Bhima 1616.

Vasant Ragini: Folio from a ragamala series (Garland of Musical Modes) ca. 1630-40 India (Madhya Pradesh, Malwa) Here Krishna dances to the beat of a drum and cymbals played by women standing at either side of him. The new shoots emerging out of the pot Krishna holds in one hand and the flowering trees above the figures are iconography consistent with the raginis association with spring festivals celebrating the coming abundance. Malwa paintings of this period break space into sections, such as the central field of bold color behind the protagonists, and nature is often presented in terms of pattern, as seen with the band of blooming lilies at the bottom of the sheet.. Vasant Ragini: Folio from a ragamala series (Garland of Musical Modes) 37882

Islamic Arts Museum. The royal manuscript Siyar-I Nabi is a complete visaul portrayal of the life of the Prophet Muhammad. 16th century. Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.

"Abu'l Mihjan and Sa`d ibn Abi Wakkas Become Angry and Leave King Khusrau ()", Folio from a Khavarannama (The Book of the East) of ibn Husam al-Din ca. 1476-86 Maulana Muhammad Ibn Husam ad Din. "Abu'l Mihjan and Sa`d ibn Abi Wakkas Become Angry and Leave King Khusrau ()", Folio from a Khavarannama (The Book of the East) of ibn Husam al-Din 451326

On a piece of bare ground in a green field on the left is an old man with a beard under a tree with a white bark, on the right in front of him are three men with beards kneeling, in the foreground a fourth, younger figure with a pointed hat, two columns of text in Persian above and below and on the back. The representation lies in the middle of the leaf and covers the width of two columns of text above and below the representation and also on the back of the leaf, almost at the top of the verso there is a wide blue strip of writing in white horizontal over the vertical columns, Old wise man with four visitors kneeling in front of him., draughtsman: anonymous, Kasjmir, 1790 - 1810, paper, brush, brush, h 182 mm × w 116 mm, h 145 mm × w 85 mm

Farîdûn, seated on his throne, surrounded by five courtiers., 1616 - 1620 (Inferred), Istanbul, Turkish, Thrones, Courts and courtiers, 15.8 x 18.3 cm

"Rustam Pleads for Tus Before Kai Khusrau," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) dated A.H. 741/A.D. 1341 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. "Rustam Pleads for Tus Before Kai Khusrau," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 451415

Khwaja Shamsu d-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi, known by his pen name Hafez (1325/1326-1389/1390),was a Persian lyric poet. His collected works composed of series of Persian poetry (Divan) are to be found in the homes of most Persian speakers in Iran and Afghanistan, as well as elsewhere in the world, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-fourteenth century Persian writing more than any other author. Themes of his ghazals are the beloved, faith, and exposing hypocrisy. His influence in the lives of Iranians can be found in 'Hafez readings', frequent use of his poems in Persian traditional music, visual art and Persian calligraphy. His tomb in Shiraz is visited often. Adaptations, imitations and translations of Hafez' poems exist in all major languages.

Zakarîy (Zacharias), the father of John the Baptist, is killed when the tree in which he is hiding is sawn in two, fol. 144. 1580. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian

"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi. Artist: Painting attributed to Miskin (active ca. 1570-1604). Dimensions: H. 9 3/4 in.(24.8 cm)W. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm). Poet: Amir Khusrau Dihlavi (1253-1325). Date: 1597-98.In this dramatic painting, a king submits to justice after having accidentally killed a shepherd while hunting. He offers the boy's grieving mother a choice: to take his sword and cut off his head, which will fall in the golden dish between them, or to accept the second dish filled with gold. Some of the marginal figures are of European inspiration, while the rocks are Persian and the main figures are typically Mughal. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Five horsemen perform exercises, f. 259. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

The spring of Yâsî Khums, on the way to Erzurûm makes a great noise coming out of rocks. Animals who come there die, f. 129. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

"The Great Abu Sa'ud Teaching Law", Folio from a Divan of Mahmud `Abd-al Baqi mid-16th century Mahmud 'Abd-al Baqi Ottoman Mahmud 'Abd al-Baqi (1526/27-1600) was a Turkish judge and poet whose most important work is his Divan, or collection of poetical works, which reflects the pleasures of courtly life in Istanbul in the sixteenth century. This is a page from one of the four known illustrated copies of this manuscript. It shows the Shaikh al-Islam (chief theologian) of that time, Abu al-Sa'ud (1490-1574), engaged in discussions with other theologians, and accompanies a qasida, or laudatory poem, about him.. "The Great Abu Sa'ud Teaching Law", Folio from a Divan of Mahmud `Abd-al Baqi. mid-16th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Attributed to Iraq, Baghdad. Codices

Bahram V was the fourteenth Sassanid King of Persia (421-438). Also called Bahram Gur or Bahramgur, he was a son of Yazdegerd I (399-421), after whose sudden death (or assassination) he gained the crown against the opposition of the grandees by the help of Mundhir, the Arab dynast of al-Hirah.

State Chancellory of Maragha Arabic 1237 Manuscripts Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France

"Job Lying Under a Tree," Page from an Illustrated Manuscript of the Majma` al-tavarikh (Collection of Chronicles) of Hafiz Abru (d. 1430) "Job Lying Under a Tree," Page from an Illustrated Manuscript of the Majma` al-tavarikh (Collection of Chronicles) of Hafiz Abru (d. 1430), ca. 1425. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, Sheet: 13 x 16 15/16 in. (33 x 43 cm). Arts of the Islamic World ca. 1425

Siyâvush beheaded by Gurûy., 1616 - 1620, (Inferred), Istanbul, Manuscripts, Turkish, 25 x 18.3 cm

Single Page from a Shah-Namah Single Page from a Shah-Namah, 17th century. Ink, opaque watercolor on paper, Image: 12 15/16 x 6 11/16 in. (32.8 x 17 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 17th century

"Sudaba's Second Accusation Against Siyavush is Judged", Folio 164v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1525-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Sudaba gets hold of stillborn twins, claiming they were me result of her rape by Siyavush and that their miscarriage was brought about by her distress. Kai Kavus now summons his astrologers, but they rule that the twins could not be children of Kai Kavus or Sudaba. She accuses the astrologers of lying in fear of punishment from Siyavush and Rustam.. "Sudaba's Second Accusation Against Siyavush is Judged", Folio 164v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452133

Miniature from Hafiz-i Abrus Majma al-tawarikh. “Noahs Ark” Iran (Afghanistan), Herat; c. 1425. Timurs son Shah Rukh (1405-1447) ordered the historian Hafiz-i Abru to write a continuation of Rashid al-Dins famous history of the world, Jami al-tawarikh. Like the Il-Khanids, the Timurids were concerned with legitimizing their right to rule, and Hafiz-i Abrus “A Collection of Histories” covers a period that included the time of Shah Rukh himself.

Chained Prisoners are Brought Before a King, a scene from the Gulistan of Sa'di 1550 Bukhara. Opaque watercolor with gold on paper .

"Kai Kavus Upbraids Siyavush in a Letter", Folio 174r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1525-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi When Rustam brings news of the peace to Kai Kavus, the shah refuses to believe the gesture is in good faith. He relieves Rustam of his command of the army and appoints Tus in his place. Kai Kavus drafts a furious letter to Siyavush, accusing his son of laziness and of scheming with Rustam to overthrow him. He urges Siyavush to recommence war with Turan. Rustam returns to Zabulistan washing his hands of Kai Kavus.. "Kai Kavus Upbraids Siyavush in a Letter", Folio 174r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452134

"Bahram Gur in the Turquoise Palace on Wednesday", Folio 216 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja dated A.H. 931/A.D. 1524-25 Nizami The fourth of the late twelfth-century Persian poet Nizami's five epic poems, later combined to form the famous Khamsa (Quintet), was the Haft Paikar, or Seven Portraits, so named from one incident in the story. It recounts the legendary history of the Sasanian king Bahram Gur, who is idealized as a great lover and hunter. The story is known also as the Seven Princesses because Bahram Gur, so the story goes, married seven beautiful princesses from the seven regions of the world, and visited each in her own pavilion on successive nights of the week. In this highly sensual but moralistic work, each princess tells a story and there are additional stories within these.. "Bahram Gur in the Turquoise Palace on Wednesday", Folio 216 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja 446606

The Shahnameh or Shah-nama (Persian: Šahnameh, 'The Book of Kings') is a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c. 977 and 1010 CE and is the national epic of Iran and related Perso-Iranian cultures. Consisting of some 60,000 verses, the Shahnameh tells the mythical and to some extent the historical past of Greater Iran from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. The work is of central importance in Persian culture, regarded as a literary masterpiece, and definitive of ethno-national cultural identity of Iran. It is also important to the contemporary adherents of Zoroastrianism, in that it traces the historical links between the beginnings of the religion with the death of the last Zoroastrian ruler of Persia during the Muslim conquest.

Sultan Ahmed sitting under a baldachin (canopy) receives the ambassadors, miniature from History of the Conquests of the World, manuscript 206 folio 30 verso, Persian manuscript.

"The Angel Gabriel meets 'Amr ibn Zaid (the Shepherd)", Folio from a Siyer-i Nebi (the Life of the Prophet). Artist: Painting by Mustafa ibn Vali. Author: Mustafa b. Yusuf al-Darir al-Erzerumi. Dimensions: H. 14.56 in. (37 cm)W.10.22 in. (26 cm). Patron: Commissioned by Sultan Murad III (r. 1574-95). Date: ca. 1595.This miniature once belonged to the fourth volume of a six-volume work devoted to the life of the Prophet commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Murad III (r. 1574-95). Depicted are the encounter of the Archangel Gabriel and the shepherd 'Amr ibn Zaid, set against a landscape dominated by rocks and trees. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The wounded monkey bites the hand of the prince, his chess mate, in the presence of guests, from a Tuti-nama, Tales of a Parrot. Tutinama, Tales of a Parrot, is a series of 52 stories in Persian from the 14th century, in the 16th century Mughal Emperor Agbar commissioned an illustrated version, Fifth Night, c. 1560. Dasavanta (Indian) (d. 1584), Historical, digitally restored reproduction from an original of the period

Krishna Battles the Demoness Putana, Page from an Unidentified Hindu Manuscript Indian. Krishna Battles the Demoness Putana, Page from an Unidentified Hindu Manuscript, 19th century. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, sheet: 12 7/8 x 8 in. (32.7 x 20.3 cm). Asian Art 19th century

Khusrau, the King of Kings, pays homage to the pious daughter of Khassa, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Fifty-first Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 9.9 x 9.9 cm (3 7/8 x 3 7/8 in.). After being abandoned in the desert by her cruel husband, Khassas daughter is discovered by Khusrau, who is instantly captivated by her religious devotion. He proposes marriage and aptly punishes those who were cruel to her. The brick well that sustained her for many days in the desert is depicted in the foreground.

"Funeral Procession", Folio 35r from a Mantiq al-tair (Language of the Birds) dated A.H. 892/ A.D. 1487 Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi This illustration is associated with a story related by the hoopoe as a response to a bird who complains about his fear of death. In the story, a son grieves the death of his father in front of his coffin and a sufi soothes him, explaining that his father had experienced much pain and that no one can avoid death. Here, the painter depicts the incident as occurring in front of a cemetery gate. The scene behind the gate is replete with motifs that are irrelevant to the story itself. The viewer at the court may have enjoyed deciphering them.. "Funeral Procession", Folio 35r from a Mantiq al-tair (Language of the Birds) 451730

Muhammed surrounded by his early followers, miniature from The tales of Luqman, Arabic manuscript, 1583.

Death of the Abbasid Caliph, Al-Mustarshid bi-llah, Assassinated During the Reign of Sultan Masud, from a Manuscript of Hafiz-i Abrus Majma al-tawarikh

Rajasthani miniature painting from Rajasthan, India. Probably late 19th century or early 20th century. An accused man is dragged before the judges in a court of law. Onlookers discuss the situation.

Jalal ad-Din Muammad Balkhi (Persian: ), also known as Jalal ad-Din Muammad Rumi (Persian: ) and popularly known as Mevlana in Turkey and Mawlana in Iran and Afghanistan but known to the English-speaking world simply as Rumi (30 September 1207 - 17 December 1273) was a 13th-century Persian Muslim poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic. He was born in Balkh Province in Afghanistan at a small town located by the river Wakhsh in what is now Tajikistan. Wakhsh belonged to the larger province of Balkh, and in the year Rumi was born, his father was an appointed scholar there. Both these cities were at the time included in the greater Persian cultural sphere of Khorasan, the easternmost province of Persia and was part of the Khwarezmian Empire. He lived most of his life under the Sultanate of Rum, where he produced his works and died in 1273 CE. He was buried in Konya and his shrine became a place of pilgrimage. Following his death, his followers a

"Buzurgmihr Masters the Game of Chess", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Painting: H. 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm) W. 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm)Page: H. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm) W. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: ca. 1300-30.The text of the Shahnama has its own version of how the game of chess was introduced into Iran from India. In order to avoid paying tribute to the Sasanians, the rajah of Hind (India) sent an envoy challenging the Iranian ruler to figure out how this game was played. The clever vizier Buzurjmihr secured the tribute for his king by solving the problem. The Iranians are dressed in Mongol costume, whereas the erudite vizier wears Arab-style tunic and turban. The Indian envoy, all alone among the Iranians as if underscoring his defeat at the game, is typically represented as a dark-skinned man wearing baggy clothes and a loose turban. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Yo

The Mughal Emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605) was known for his religious tolerance, and had holy Hindu scriptures translated into Persian. He presented the magnificent copy of the Ramayana from which this miniature comes to his mother in 1594. Sita, wife of the protagonist, Rama, has been captured by the evil demon Ravana. In this scene a frightened Sita begins to doubt whether it really is her good friend, the monkey general Hanuman, standing before her.

Aisha, Widow of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of the Camel, from a manuscript of Hafiz-i Abrus Majma al-tawarikh

From a 1543 CE edition of the 'Khamsa' published in Shiraz, this illustration shows the Sassanid prince Bahram Gur visiting the red pavilion of the Slavic princesses. The Khamsa, or Hamsa, is a series of five lengthy epic poems written by the Persian poet Nezami-ye Ganjavi in the 12th century. The first of these five poems, all of which were composed in the 'Masnavi' form, is the didactic work Makhzan ol-asrar (The Treasury of Mysteries); the next three are traditional love stories; and the fifth, the 'Eskandar-nameh', records the adventures of Alexander the Great.

Man wears warrior and horse on his shoulders; Five illustrations by Kamsa by Nizami with text. Farhad wears shirin with horse and al // illustration of the Khamsa of Nizami, a bearded man wearing a horse on his shoulders, on which a princess or noble woman is sitting (ak title).

Nizami's Khamsah (Five Poems), Tabriz, Iran. The Prophet Muhammad's Celestial Journey Created: 1539-1543,by Nizami Ganjavi Persian poet

The First Adventure of the White Horse, Page from the Khan Khanan's Razm Nama (Book of Wars), c. 1610-17. India, Subimperial Mughal school, 17th century. Ink and color on paper; overall: 38 x 22.4 cm (14 15/16 x 8 13/16 in.). After the five Pandava brothers defeated their cousins, the oldest, who became king, performed an ancient Vedic ritual known as the horse sacrifice in order to determine the physical extent of his rule. For one year a horse wanders freely around the country, attended by warriors, and every land through which the horse passes becomes part of the kings territory. The warriors go to battle with any local resistance. In this case, the warrior following the horse is Arjuna, one of the five Pandava brothers. He has encountered the son-in-law of the god of fire, Agni, who creates a river of fire to block the warriors. In a dramatic composition set on the banks of the swirling golden river of fire, running diagonally down the page between multicolored rocky outcrops, Ar

The Battle Between Rustem and Afrasiab, from a manuscript of Hafiz-i Abrus Majma al-tawarikh

Tamerlan grants an audience, Persian miniature, 17th Century.

This manuscript of Persian poems is written in nastaliq script. The page-borders represent birds and animals in various colours outlined in gold. This is one of three miniatures from the Isfahan School contained in the collection. The manuscript was produced in 1604 by Shah Qasim and is a copy of the original collection of poetry by Khaqani, Afzal al-Din Shirvani from the end of the 12th century.

"Hurmuzd I's Last Testament to Prince Bahram I", Folio 535r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1525-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Shapur and Mihrak's daughter have a son, who rules as Hurmuzd I, a just and prudent king. When he grows old and death is upon him, he calls for the crown prince Bahram I and exhorts him to rule with moderation.. "Hurmuzd I's Last Testament to Prince Bahram I", Folio 535r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452167

The river Dijlah, between Iraq and Iran, flows into the Persian Gulf, f. 123. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Sa'di's Visit to an Indian Temple, folio from a manuscript of the Bustan by Sa'di Sa'di's Visit to an Indian Temple, folio from a manuscript of the Bustan by Sa'di, late 16th century. Ink, colors, and gold on paper, image: 9 x 5 1/8 in. (22.9 x 13 cm). Arts of the Islamic World late 16th century

The Shahnameh or Shah-nama is an enormous poetic opus written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi around 1000 AD and is the national epic of the cultural sphere of Greater Persia. Consisting of some 60,000 verses, the Shahnameh tells the mythical and historical past of (Greater) Iran from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century. The work is of central importance in Persian culture, regarded as a literary masterpiece, and definitive of ethno-national cultural identity of Iran. It is also important to the contemporary adherents of Zoroastrianism, in that it traces the historical links between the beginnings of the religion with the death of the last Zoroastrian ruler of Persia during the Muslim conquest.

A group of guests and musicians seated beneath an awning view the new moon of 'Îd., fol. 5. asan, Mr, active 18th century. 1822-02-12. Spencer Collection

Mount Tûr Hârûn (cont.), f. 117. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Gîv, dressed in a tiger-skin coat and helmet, leads the young Kay Khusrau and his mother Farangîs across the Oxus., 1616 - 1620 (Inferred)., Istanbul. Manuscripts, Turkish., 21.8 x 18.2 cm

Gushtâsb enthroned in a garden.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian

Iskandar with the Khaqan of Chin, Page from a Manuscript of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami (Iskandarnama or "Book of Alexander")

"The King of the Hares in Counsel with his Subjects", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna second quarter 16th century This manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the jackals Kalila and Dimna. Based on the book of ancient Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), the stories spread all over the Middle East where they became wildly popular. This manuscript has a strong flavor of Mamluk Egypt in the figure styles and bold drawings, with hints of Ottoman tulips and Safavid turbans. However, the burnt orange palette and darkly-inked lines have led to an attribution to Sultanate Gujarat where it is suggested this manuscript was copied from an Egyptian original. Its life in India is also attested by a Devanagari inscription at the end, although the rest of the Arabic text is written in a strong, left-leaning naskh-like script.. "The King of the Hares in Counsel with his Subjects", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna 453118

Breakfast, miniature, Persia 16th Century.

"Husayn at the Bedside of the Dying Hasan", Folio from a Hadiqat al-Su'ada of Fuzuli (Garden of the Blessed) late 16th century Fuzuli This painting shows an arched room filled with numerous male and some female figures, all wearing colorful kaftans, white, black, or green turbans, and headdresses. In the center are two veiled figures distinguished by flaming halos flickering around their heads: depicted are Husain at the deathbed of his older brother Hasan the two sons of 'Ali and important Shi'i figures.. "Husayn at the Bedside of the Dying Hasan", Folio from a Hadiqat al-Su'ada of Fuzuli (Garden of the Blessed) 452937

A discussion between the prophets Mûs and Khizr, fol. 101v. 1580. Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian

Khwaja Shamsu d-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi, known by his pen name Hafez (1325/1326-1389/1390),was a Persian lyric poet. His collected works composed of series of Persian poetry (Divan) are to be found in the homes of most Persian speakers in Iran and Afghanistan, as well as elsewhere in the world, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-fourteenth century Persian writing more than any other author. Themes of his ghazals are the beloved, faith, and exposing hypocrisy. His influence in the lives of Iranians can be found in 'Hafez readings', frequent use of his poems in Persian traditional music, visual art and Persian calligraphy. His tomb in Shiraz is visited often. Adaptations, imitations and translations of Hafez' poems exist in all major languages.

Colour illustration from 'The illuminated manuscript Khamsa of Nizami' a 12th Century a lavishly illustrated manuscript of the Khamsa or 'five poems' of Nizami Ganjavi (1141-1209) a Persian poet.

The bag of gold which he received for the slave girl being stolen in a mosque, the young man of Baghdad tears his cloths and is about to fling himself into the Tigris, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Forty-eighth Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 11.7 x 10.1 cm (4 5/8 x 4 in.). In the foreground, the distraught young man stands at the edge of the rushing river. Desperate for money, he has sold his lover, a slave girl, but finds himself destitute again. A group of onlookers watch the distressed man from the courtyard in front of the mosque. They will jump into the water to save him before he can drown.

"Bahram Gur in the Blue Pavilion", Folio from Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami early 16th century. "Bahram Gur in the Blue Pavilion", Folio from Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami 455047

"Kai Kavus Falls from the Sky", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi ca. 1330-40 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi At the instigation of an evil div, the shah Kai Kavus foolishly tried to fly up to heaven by tying eagles to his throne and legs of lamb above them, so that in striving to reach the meat the eagles would lift his conveyance skyward. When the eagles eventually tired, all plummeted to earth. The ascent is depicted in every known illustration of the episode except this one. Here the ignominious return to earth is most charmingly presented, with a bed of flowers to soften the shah's landing.. "Kai Kavus Falls from the Sky", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi 452634

The spring of 'Ibâd Allâhâbâd, a village between Qazvin and Hamadân, f. 126v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Nan va Halva (Breads and Sweets). Author: Muhammad Baha' al-Din al-'Amili (1547-1620). Dimensions: H. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)W. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm). Date: ca. 1690.The text of this book is a series of moralizing poems on the merits of the ascetic life, three of which are illustrated. The painting illustrates the parable of a recluse who accepts bread from an infidel (depicted here as the English monarch Charles II) and is chided by a dog. The beautiful birds in the margin of the page compete for attention with the witty illustration.Other paintings include one which accompanies a poem on the regrets of a life spent learning useless information; the artist has shown a school where only the sciences are taught, its teachers dozing, meditating and drinking. Another painting accompanies a poem valorizing patience--a recluse, shown praying in the wilderness, does not receive his customary daily bread; when he accepts food offered by an infidel, he is scolded by a dog for not having waiting fo

saf al-Dawlah, ruler of Oudh (1189-1212 1775-1797) seated in front of cushions, with three attendants, fol. 10. asan, Mīr, active 18th century. 1822-02-12. Spencer Collection

"Bhima Defeates Duryodhana", Folio from a Razmnama ca. 1616-17 'Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan. "Bhima Defeates Duryodhana", Folio from a Razmnama. ca. 1616-17. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Attributed to India. Codices

Mount Sâvah, south of Rayy, f. 113v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

"Fighting Arjuna, Susarma Unleashes the Suparna Weapon which Invokes Garuda", Folio from a Razmnama ca. 1616-17 'Abd al-Rahim ibn Muhammad Bairam Khan Khan-i Khanan. "Fighting Arjuna, Susarma Unleashes the Suparna Weapon which Invokes Garuda", Folio from a Razmnama 451318

The Cave of Bâbil. Hârût and Mârût hang head downward in this cave, f. 129v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Sulaymân conquers a city in the west whose people are black faced with hair like a horse's tail, eyes like a snake, and whose nails are very long. Three of these lovelies are shown, f. 304. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

"Buzurjmihr Explains the Game of Backgammon (Nard) to the Raja of Hind", Folio from the First Small Shahnama (Book of Kings) ca. 1300-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. "Buzurjmihr Explains the Game of Backgammon (Nard) to the Raja of Hind", Folio from the First Small Shahnama (Book of Kings) 449001

"The Ascetic and his Guest with the Mouse Steal the Ascetic's Food", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna second quarter 16th century This manuscript contains seventy-eight paintings and many text folios telling the famous tales of the jackals Kalila and Dimna. Based on the book of ancient Indian animal fables, the Panchatantra written by Vidyapati (Bidpai), the stories spread all over the Middle East where they became wildly popular. This manuscript has a strong flavor of Mamluk Egypt in the figure styles and bold drawings, with hints of Ottoman tulips and Safavid turbans. However, the burnt orange palette and darkly-inked lines have led to an attribution to Sultanate Gujarat where it is suggested this manuscript was copied from an Egyptian original. Its life in India is also attested by a Devanagari inscription at the end, although the rest of the Arabic text is written in a strong, left-leaning naskh-like script.. "The Ascetic and his Guest with the Mouse Steal the Ascetic's Food", Folio fr

The Isra and Mi'raj (Arabic: الإسراء والمعراج‎, transl. al-ʾIsrāʾ wa lMiʿrāğ), are the two parts of a Night Journey that, according to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621. It considered as both a physical and spiritual journey. A brief outline of the story is related in surah 17 'AlIsra' of the Qur'an, and other details come from the Hadith, supplemental accounts of the life ofthe Prophet Muhammad recorded by his companions. In the journey, the Prophet Muhammad travels on the celestial mount AlBuraq to 'the farthest temple' (Holy Temple of AlQuds or Jerusalem) where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends through the seven heavens where he speaks to God, who gives Muhammad instructions to take back to the faithful on Earth about the number of times to offer prayers each day. According to traditions, the Journey is associated with the Lailat al Miraj, as one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar. Represen

fine arts, islamic art, Persia, miniature, King Gahangir and his mistress watching a dancer, Zafarnameh al-Din Ali Jesdi, Shiraz, 1547, Munich State Museum of Ethnology,

"The Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) ca. 1330-40 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi The arrogant enemy-hero Ashkabus scorns Rustam for facing him on foot, so Rustam ensures that Ashkabus will also be on foot by shooting his horse out from under him. The white cloud suggests the dust of battle. The warrior behind Rustam wears an aventail to protect his face and holds a shield of cane with a radiating pattern, both of which appear, similarly drawn, in other illustrations from this period and must therefore represent actual Ilkhanid armor.. "The Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 452637

Nuh, son of Mansur suppressing rebels, from a Manuscript of Hafiz-i Abrus Majma al-tawarikh

The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twentieth Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot), c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 7.1 x 10.1 cm (2 13/16 x 4 in.). Tuti the parrot begins telling Khujasta a story about the daughter of a pious man who turned down three suitors, so she could follow religious pursuits. She stands outside her bed chamber, where a low table has stacked red water jugs, and a dish with ingredients to make paan. The golden ewer and basin are for handwashing.

Manuscript of the Hadiqat al-Su`ada (Garden of the Blessed) of Fuzuli Muhammad bin Sulayman, known as Fuzuli (ca. 1483-1556). Manuscript of the Hadiqat al-Su`ada (Garden of the Blessed) of Fuzuli, AH 1011 / 1602-3 C.E. Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper; leather binding, 5 1/2 x 9 3/4 in. (14 x 24.8 cm). This manuscript is a copy of the sixteenth-century Hadiqat al-Sucada (Garden of the Blessed), written in Baghdad by the Ottoman mystic Muhammad bin Sulayman, known as Fuzuli (circa 1483-1556). It is a text on the Prophets family and belongs to a group of illustrated devotional manuscripts executed in a provincial style in Baghdad under the patronage of the Ottoman sultan Mehmet III (r. 1595-1603). Here, the Prophet is shown veiled and seated on a pulpit, accompanied by his cousin and son-in-law, cAli, and his grandchildren, Hasan and Husayn, all distinguished by haloes of fire. According to the Ottoman Turkish text, Muhammad is conversing with the angel Gabriel and the Angel of

Kaiwan, Latif and Sharif arrive at a place of worship where they seek help from Khurshid, who has become a mystical healer, from a Tuti-nama, Tales of a Parrot. Tutinama, Tales of a Parrot, is a series of 52 stories in Persian dating from the 14th century, in the 16th century Mughal Emperor Agbar commissioned an illustrated version Thirty-second Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, Court of Akbar (ruled 1556-1605), Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a pre

RASHID AL-DIN (1247 - 1318). Compendium of Chronicles (Jami' al-tawarikh). ca. 1307. Marriage of Mahmud Ghazan Khan (1271-1304). Khan mongol of Persia (1295-1304). Illustration of the first section with the history of the Mongols. Edited 1430 ca. Persian art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.

Persian (Iranian) Islamic style, manuscript, Illustrated 12th century: The poet Nezami recounts the tales of Alexander the great

Jamshîd enthroned flanked by an angel and a swordbearer.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian

The Anwar-i Suhayli or 'The Lights of Canopus', commonly known as the Fables of Bidpai in the West, is a Persian version of the ancient Indian collection of animal fables, the Panchatantra. It tells a tale of a Persian physician, Burzuyah, and his mission to India, where he stumbles upon a book of stories collected from the animals who reside there. In a similar vein to the Arabian Nights, the fables in the manuscript are inter-woven as the characters of one story recount the next, leading up to three or four degrees of narrative embedding. Many usually have morals or offer philosophical glimpses into human behaviour, emphasising loyalty and teamwork.

Iskandar, disguised as a merchant, meets Nūshābah, Queen of Burda, fol. 284. Additional, Iskandar, disguised as a merchant, is recognized by Queen Nūshābah, the ruler of Burda (Armenia), who shows Iskandar a portrait of himself., 1515, Shîrâz, Manuscripts, Persian, 13 x 9.6 cm

A monster found in the Sea of Turkey (Bahr-i Rûm) top; A strange bird of the Maghrib Sea that lays its eggs in quiet waters bottom, f. 94. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

A rhinoceros regarded by four monsters with the bodies of men and the heads of beasts ... on Jazîrat Atvâr top; Three white men swimming in the Greek Sea (Bahr Yûnân) middle; Three men swimming in the Bahr Yûnân, whose waters have turned them black, f. 77. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

'Ali Receives the Paladin 'Adnan, Folio from the Khavarannameh of Muhammad Ibn Husam 'Ali Receives the Paladin 'Adnan, Folio from the Khavarannameh of Muhammad Ibn Husam, ca. 1477. Ink and opaque watercolors on paper, 8 11/16 x 6 1/2 in. These pages belong to a dispersed illustrated manuscript and the first known copy of the Khavarannama by the poet Muhammad ibn Husam (d. circa 1470). Modeled on the Iranian national epic, the Shahnama (Book of Kings), the Khavarannama details the life of cAli, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet and the most important figure in Shica Islam after Muhammad. The manuscript originally contained 155 miniatures, which appear to have been executed some years after the text and display the vibrant colors and lush vegetation characteristic of the Turkman painting tradition of Shiraz. In one of the paintings shown here, the military leader cAdnan visits cAli, depicted as a enthroned king; the other shows a horseman lassoing a wild donkey as his companions

Nufayl ibn Ghawth, seated at a low desk, reads a passage from the Old Testament that refers to the coming of the Prophet Muhammad., 1594 - 1595 (Inferred), Istanbul, Manuscripts, Turkish, 19.7 x 17.4 cm

"Kai Khusrau Enthroned Holding a Sword", Folio from the First Small Shahnama (Book of Kings) ca. 1300-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi This illustration from the Shahnama shows Kai Khusrau on his throne holding the sword with which he will execute Afrasiyab for the murder of Siyavush, bound and standing before him. Next to Afrasiyab is his brother Garsivaz, the actual murderer of Siyavush, and behind him is an executioner with his sword drawn. The elderly Kai Kavus, grandfather of Kai Khusrau, is seated beside his grandson. In spite of the grim scene, the style is delicate and courtly, as befits its origins in an important cultural center, possibly Baghdad which rapidly became a prominent Ilkhanid city after it was taken and partially destroyed by the new rulers in 1258.. "Kai Khusrau Enthroned Holding a Sword", Folio from the First Small Shahnama (Book of Kings) 449004

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