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Mughal Narrative Illustrations

Colorful Mughal miniatures depicting tales from notable texts. Scenes include courtly life, mythical heroes, and dramatic narratives, showcasing intricate details and rich cultural themes.

Kay Kaus, King of Persia, captured by the King of Hamavaran (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi) by Iranian master / Private Collection / 1580 / Iran / Gouache on paper / Mythology, Allegory and Literature / 45,5x31,6
Kay Kaus, King of Persia, captured by the King of Hamavaran (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi) by Iranian master / Private Collection / 1580 / Iran / Gouache on paper / Mythology, Allegory and Literature / 45,5x31,6
266 assets in this story
6145-51835133
Bound Manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami Nizami. Bound Manuscript of the Khamsa of Nizami, late 16th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, pasteboard, leather, gold on paper, 8 1/4 x 13 3/8 in. (21 x 34 cm). Arts of the Islamic World late 16th century
4409-17416008
"Bahram Chubina Kills the Lion-Shaped Ape Monster", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Text block: 6 5/16 x 5 in. (16 x 12.7 cm)Painting: 1 15/16 x 5 1/2 in. (5 x 14 cm). Date: ca. 1300-30. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.
1746-30020133
Persian painting. Colour plates
6145-29778897
"Bazur, the Magician, Raises up Darkness and a Storm", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) ca. 1430-40 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi During a battle between the Iranians and the Turanians, a sorcerer named Bazur (shown here in a blue cape) climbs to the top of a mountain and creates a blizzard that engulfs the Iranian forces. In the ensuing confusion, the Turanians attack, causing heavy casualties.This painting comes from a copy of the highly Persianate Shahnama that was probably made in northern India. The paintings from this book were later cut out and placed in an album with brightly colored borders.. "Bazur, the Magician, Raises up Darkness and a Storm", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 447307
4409-17434298
"Bahram Recovers the Crown of Rivniz", Folio 245r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of of Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, commissioned by Shah Tahmasp. Artist: Painting attributed to Qadimi (active ca. 1525-65). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Painting: H. 9 1/4 x W. 10 3/8 in. (H. 23.5 x W. 26.4 cm)Entire Page: H. 18 3/4 x W. 12 5/8 in. (H. 47.6 x W. 32.1 cm). Date: ca. 1525-30.As the battle of Pashan continues, the Iranians start to gain control, but then Prince Rivniz, one of the sons of Kai Kavus, is killed, and his crown falls to the ground of the battlefield. Both the Iranians and the Turanians turn their focus to retrieving the crown until Bahram, son of Gudarz, rushes into the fray and scoops up the crown with the tip of his lance. Although both sides suffer many losses, the Turanians finish victorious. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.
6145-55951894
Suhrâb menaces Rustam with a knife.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian
1788-33531
Miniature from the Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by Al-Jazari, Turkey, 1203.
6145-29790009
"Kai Khusrau is Discovered by Giv", Folio 210v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1525-30 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi After a sevenyear search for the future shah, the persistent Iranian knight Giv finally discovered the prince Kai Khusrau. Faithful to the story, the painting features an idyllic spring landscape, the remoteness of which is indicated by the barren hill in the background. The black pool next to Kai Khusrau and the stream flowing from it would have originally been silver, which has now tarnished.. "Kai Khusrau is Discovered by Giv", Folio 210v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452141
6145-55951921
Farâmarz slays Mihârk.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian
4409-17534302
Vishnu on worldly long Ananta, birth of Brahma. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1790 - 1810. Place: Kashmir. Measurements: h 93 mm × w 143 mm; h 70 mm × w 113 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
1848-50730234
Chittra Shala courtyard with virtuoso fine paintings, Taragarh Fort, Bundi, Bundi, Rajasthan, India, Asia
7155-70375649
Mughal painting. Alexander the Great directing building of a wall of fire against Gog and Magog. 1600.
6145-52335129
Miniatur; Miniatur.. Prints. 1912. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Art & Architecture Collection
866-7721
The Quest of Salm. From a Shahnameh, gouache heightened with gold on paper. Shiraz, circa 1460, miniature, 22.8 x 15.2cm.
6145-29132586
Reunion of Vessantara and Maddi with Their Children and Parents. Thailand, Bangkok, 1820-1840. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor and gold on cloth
6145-29116273
Man with a Pitchfork. Riza-yi Abbasi (Iran, Isfahan, died 1635). Iran, Isfahan, dated July 11, 1634 (4 Safar, A.H. 1044). Manuscripts; folios. Ink and color washes on paper
6145-55950437
Two nude dwarfs who inhabit trees on the island of Râmî (Jazîrat al-Râmî), today known as Sumatra top; Similar to f.75v top bottom, f. 75v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-48527951
Miniatura rytualna tsakali z wyobrażeniem bóstwa - strażnika Begtse. unknown, painter
1746-21104952
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.
6145-29122634
Kanhra Ragini, Third Wife of Dipak Raga, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies). India, Madhya Pradesh, Datia (), circa 1700-1730. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper
4409-17533343
Portrait of Ajmat Dev van Mankot smoking a hookah (hookah), behind him a servant with a fan. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: c. 1720 - c. 1730. Place: Mankot. Measurements: h 196 mm × w 291 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
475-2330
Portrait of Sultan Selim II (1524-74) Firing a Bow and Arrow Nakkep Reis Haydar (1494-1572 Turkish) Gouache on Paper Topkapi Museum, Istanbul, Turkey
6145-55951941
Pîrân escapes from Gûdarz.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian
4435-5334
MUHAMMAD (570-632). Prophet and founder of Islam. Muhammad in ecstasy. Islamic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. ëLE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.
4409-22711
JINETES ARABES EJERCITANDOSE EN TIRO CON ARCO - MANUSCRITO DEL SIGLO XV. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. MOSKAU. RUSSIA.
6145-29136831
Arjuna Kicks Babhruvahana on the Chest for His Unheroic Act (recto), Babhruvahana Surrenders the Sacrificial Horse Syamakarna to His Father Arjuna (verso), Scenes from the Story of Babhruvahana, Folio from a Mahabharata (War of the Great Bharatas). India, Maharashtra, Paithan, circa 1850. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor on paper
6145-55951952
The sîmurgh aids the wounded Rustam and Rakhsh.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian
4443-75473789
The illustration features two types of aquatic plants depicted as growing on the bottom of a pool. The top image shows Mouse ear (Auricula muris), also referred to as alsînî or âdhân al-fâr, while the bottom image depicts Duckweed (Lemna sp.), known as 'adas al-mâ' or 'water lentil'. The work is attributed to Mîrzâ Bâqir, created between 1889 and 1890, potentially in Tehran or Mashhad. The dimensions of the illustration are 17.2 x 11.2 cm for the top image and 5 x 9.3 cm for the bottom image, all presented on one page
4266-16019
Bilibin, Ivan Yakovlevich (1876-1942) Museum of the Goznak, Moscow Book Art Mythology, Allegory and Literature Illustration for the Fairy tale Marya Morevna
6145-55951884
Garshâsp, an ancestor of Rustam, kills a dragon with a lance.. 1616. Firdawsî. text. illuminated manuscripts, Illuminations, Manuscripts. Spencer Collection. Manuscripts, Persian
1788-32943
Scene in a harem, miniature from Shahnameh or The Persian Book of Kings, by Ferdowsi, Persia 17th Century.
1899-18713406
Mughal period miniature painting from an album featuring portraits of Timur the Great and his descendants, mid-17th century.
6145-59271281
Design for illustration (fol. 1): Van den Vos Reinaerde, in the middle the writer Willem, Bernard Willem Wierink, 1866 - 1939 drawing Design for a print. paper. cardboard. ink. pencil pen / brush fable of Reynard the Fox
6145-29066214
Kasuga Deer Mandala, mid-1300s to 1400s. Japan, Nanbokuchō period (1336-92) to Muromachi period (1392-1573). Hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk; image: 95.6 x 39.1 cm (37 5/8 x 15 3/8 in.); mounted: 184.2 x 63.8 cm (72 1/2 x 25 1/8 in.).
4409-28963144
The Five Ancients. Origin: China. Period: Ming dynasty. Ink and color on silk. Date: 15th-early 16th century. Museum: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
4443-75470383
The image features three botanical illustrations on one page, showcasing two varieties of Goosegrass and lady's bedstraw (Galium verum; Galium aparine) at the top, along with Alyssum (Fibigia clypeata) at the bottom. The page dimensions are 16.3 x 11 cm for the top image and 16.1 x 12.1 cm and 18.5 x 10 cm for the bottom images. The work is attributed to Mîrzâ Bâqir, dating from 1889 to 1890, and may have been created in Tehran or Mashhad
6145-54590838
Anonymous watercolor with gold paint depicting a princely move-in scene, including figures, furnishings, and ceremonial context.
4409-17542871
Portrait of Mulla Abd al-Samad, who has been secretary (dabir) of Sultan Abdullah. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: c. 1686. Place: Golkonda. Measurements: h 203 mm × w 140 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
6145-55950441
Three black cannibals swimming in a silver sea top; Four flying birds against a silver background bottom, f. 77v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian
6145-43598274
Two boyars in attire from the 2nd half 16th century, according to print by Abraham de Bruyn from the year 1581. Bruyn, Abraham de (ca 1540-1587), graphic artist, Lesser, Aleksander (1814-1884), draughtsman, cartoonist
4443-21770530
In a frame of two narrow ornamental borders in sky blue and dark blue speckled with gold, four diagonal lines of Persian calligraphy are placed, bottom left and top right two triangles with a narrow golden ornamental border form a closing, in the upper right corner an inscription is also placed, the leaf with the calligraphy is placed on the left side of a leaf veined with gold and separated from it by lines filled in with colors, Four diagonal lines of Persian calligraphy, draughtsman: anonymous, Iran, 1500 - 1700, paper, brush, h 164 mm × w 95 mm
1788-32992
Automation device, miniature from the Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by Al-Jazari, 1203, Turkey.
4435-5308
Fatimid period (10th-12th c.). Islamic art. Miniature Painting. EGYPT. CAIRO. Cairo. Museum of Islamic Arts.
4409-170816
COMENTARIOS AL APOCALIPSIS. Author: BEATO DE LIEBANA. Location: ARCHIVO HISTORICO NACIONAL-COLECCION, MADRID, SPAIN.
4409-17485263
Calligraphy in the shape of a hoopoe: bismillah ar-rahman ar-rahim (in the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful). Date/Period: 17th century. Calligraphy. Paper, black ink, outlined in gold. Height: 171 mm (6.73 in); Width: 187 mm (7.36 in). Author: UNKNOWN.
6145-44315653
Student Domenico di Niccolò del Coros: Samson fights against the Philistines, detail of the floor in the cathedral of Siena. .
6145-29116605
Tugra (Calligraphic Monogram) of Sulayman the Magnificent. Turkey, circa 1550-1565. Manuscripts; folios. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
6145-51828025
Amr, Disguised as Mazmahil the Surgeon, Practices Quackery on the Sorcerers of Antali Attributed to Dasavanta. Amr, Disguised as Mazmahil the Surgeon, Practices Quackery on the Sorcerers of Antali, ca. 1570. Opaque watercolor and gold on cotton, mounted on paper, 31 x 25 in. (78.7 x 63.5cm). When the Mughal emperors conquered northern India, they brought with them a taste for Persian aesthetics. Early in their reign, the Mughals brought Persian artists from Iran to teach painting techniques and styles to artists in India. The product of this bicultural painting workshop looks very different from both Persian and indigenous Indian painting, in part because the artists were looking at European art as well. This is a folio from the oversized manuscript known as the Qissa-i Amir Hamza, or Hamza-Nama, one of the most ambitious projects completed by the imperial painting workshop under the Mughal emperor Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). All of the paintings are on cloth, with Persian text written
6145-51833637
New Year's Day at the Ogiya Brothel, Yoshiwara Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849). New Year's Day at the Ogiya Brothel, Yoshiwara, ca. 1810. Polyptych of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Each sheet 14 x 10 in. (35.6 x 25.4 cm). Asian Art ca. 1810
1899-18610846
The Conquest of Mexico (1519-1521). Scenes: A- Port of Vera Cruz, B- Cortes dining with two ambassadors of Moctezuma, C- The horses run and the ambassadors are admired, D- Hernan Cortes appoints ordinary mayors of the town, E- La Malinche makes the Totonac understand who Cortes is, F- Construction of the Villa Rica where Totonac indians help. G- Entrance of Hernan Cortes in Zempuala where he is received by the 'Cacique Gordo'. Table belonging to a set of 6 made with the 'enconchado' technique. Anonymous author. Oil and nacre. 1676-1700. Mexican School. Viceroyalty of New Spain. Mexico. Museum of the Americas. Madrid, Spain.
1899-18791702
Hang Trong painting (Vietnamese: Tranh Hàng Trống) is a genre of Vietnamese woodcut painting that originated from the area of Hàng Trống and Hàng Nón streets in Old Hanoi's 36 Streets District. In the past, Hang Trong painting was an essential element of the Tết holiday in Hanoi, but today this tradition has almost disappeared and authentic Hang Trong paintings are found only in museums or fine art galleries.
4266-2359
People of Persia by Muzaffar Ali, watercolour, ink, gold colour on paper 1539-1543, 1520-1570, USA, Washington, D.C., Freer Gallery of Art
4435-11037
Al-Hariri of Basra (1054-1122). Arab erudite and poet. 'The Maqamat' (The Assemblies of al-Hariri), characteristic genre of the medieval arabic literature. Edition carried out in Bagdad and illustrated by al-Wasiti (1237). Sailing boat in the Euphrates. Islamic art. Miniature Painting. FRANCE. LE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. National Library.
6145-29725298
Portrait of Ustad Muhammad Ali 17th century. Portrait of Ustad Muhammad Ali. 17th century. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Attributed to Iran. Codices
6145-48522204
Diwan (collection of poems). Hafez (ca 1315-1390), poet, unknown, calligrapher
1899-18787913
Yahya ibn Mahmod al-Wasiti was a 13th-century Arab Islamic artist. Al-Wasiti was born in Wasit in southern Iraq. He was noted for his illustrations of the Maqam of al-Hariri. Maqama (literally 'assemblies') are an (originally) Arabic literary genre of rhymed prose with intervals of poetry in which rhetorical extravagance is conspicuous. The 10th century author Badi' al-Zaman al-Hamadhani is said to have invented the form, which was extended by al-Hariri of Basra in the next century. Both authors' maqamat center on trickster figures whose wanderings and exploits in speaking to assemblies of the powerful are conveyed by a narrator. Manuscripts of al-Hariri's Maqamat, anecdotes of a roguish wanderer Abu Zayd from Saruj, were frequently illustrated with miniatures.
6145-54583267
Mahavira Rides in His Initiation Palanquin, Folio 36 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra, c. 1475-1500. Western India, Gujarat, last quarter of the 15th century. Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 12.5 x 25.7 cm (4 15/16 x 10 1/8 in.).
6145-51822393
Princely Couple , 17th century or later. Ink, opaque watercolors and gold on paper, Image: 4 5/8 x 3 1/16 in. (11.7 x 7.8 cm). Asian Art 17th century or later
4435-5322
Noah's Ark. 16th c. Ottoman art. Miniature Painting. TURKEY. THRACE. Istanbul. Library of Ahmed III (Topkapi Palace).
6145-51830500
Album Folio with Calligraphy Muhammad Rafi`. Album Folio with Calligraphy, 17th century. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on vellum; marbleized paper border, 4 7/16 x 7 7/8 in. (11.2 x 20 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 17th century
6145-51818518
Man and Child Mounted on Horse Unknown. Man and Child Mounted on Horse, 18th-19th century. Oil on cloth, 28 x 24 in. (71.1 x 61 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 18th-19th century
4409-21381459
TEJIDO CHINO. Location: FUNDACION RODRIGUEZ ACOSTA. GRANADA. SPANIEN.
6145-51819923
Illustrated Folio from a Manuscript of the Shah-Nama Illustrated Folio from a Manuscript of the Shah-Nama, ca. 1600. Ink and opaque watercolors on paper, Sheet: 14 x 9 3/4 in. Arts of the Islamic World ca. 1600
4409-11882
"CONSOLACIONES EN EL ENTRETENIMEINTO DE CALIFAS Y JEFES"MAN ARABE 528-F 13V-ZORRO Y HOGUERA-S XVI. Location: MONASTERIO-BIBLIOTECA-COLECCION. SAN LORENZO DEL ESCORIAL. MADRID. SPAIN.
6145-51828067
The Order of the Grand Vizier Jean-Joseph-Benjamin Constant (French, 1845-1902). The Order of the Grand Vizier, n.d. Oil on canvas, 21 11/16 x 16 15/16 in. (55.1 x 43.0 cm). Like other Orientalist painters, Jean-Joseph-Benjamin Constant blended European misconceptions and fantasies of North Africa and the Middle East with intricate renderings of props he gathered on a trip to Spain and Morocco. The dramatic subject, lavish interior, and sparkling colors of this painting were designed to mirror European consumers exoticizing fantasies of the region. Several decorative elements may be based on objects in Constants studio. The golden curtain, ewer, stool, and architectural backdrop are similar to props photographed there in 1890. European Art n.d.
6145-48518180
Poster - allegory of Turkey as the milked cow. unknown, graphic artist