Persian Miniature Paintings

Vibrant miniature artworks depicting scenes from Persian literature, characterized by intricate detail and rich colors, telling stories of love and court life.

Vintage Persian Miniature art. Miniature painting of king being entertained.. Qajar painting 1850

Liefdespaar op een terras, met twee bedienden achter hen.On a terrace for a palace is a love couple on a brightly colored rug. Left behind a female servant, right for a male servant; In two columns text with Persian handwriting. The performance is in the middle of the leaf and cover the width of two columns text located above and below the show and also on the back of the leaf.

The deceitful wife assaults her erring husband, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Tara 1 (Indian, active 1550s-1590s). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; painting only: 14.8 x 10.3 cm (5 13/16 x 4 1/16 in.); overall: 20 x 13.6 cm (7 7/8 x 5 3/8 in.).

Vintage Persian Miniature art. Miniature painting of king being entertained.. Qajar painting 1850

The handmaiden appeals for justice and the prince is taken to the execution site for the fourth time, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Tara 2 (Indian, active 1550s-1590s). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; painting only: 16.6 x 10 cm (6 9/16 x 3 15/16 in.); overall: 20 x 14.4 cm (7 7/8 x 5 11/16 in.).

"The Story of the Princess of the Blue Pavillion: The Youth of Rum Is Entertained in a Garden by a Fairy and her Maidens", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi. Artist: Painting by Manohar (active ca. 1582-1624). Calligrapher: Muhammad Husain Kashmiri (active ca. 1560-1611). 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.Approximately one century after the Persian poet Nizami wrote his Khamsa (Quintet), the Indian poet Amir Khusrau Dihlavi composed a response using Nizami's structure but varying his stories slightly. This painting comes from the Mughal emperor Akbar's (r. 1550-1605) copy of Amir Khusrau's verses. It depicts a story told by a princess to the king Bahram Gur, about a youth and the fairy queen he imagines meeting nightly in a lush garden. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

The deceitful wife ejects the procuress after blackening her face, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Shravana (Indian). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 10.5 x 10 cm (4 1/8 x 3 15/16 in.).

King Timur and Nazaben. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1700 - 1899. Place: India. Measurements: h 288 mm × w 202 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Miniature Portrait of Dara Shikoh. Date/Period: 1635/1645. Painting. Gouache on paper mounted on album leaf. Width: 6.7 cm. Height: 10.5 cm (sheet). Author: Unknown Indian.

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.

"The Emperor Shah Jahan with his Son Dara Shikoh", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album verso: ca. 1620; recto: ca. 1530-50 Painting by Nanha This superbly painted image framed by a splendid border shows the future emperor Shah Jahan admiring jewels with his favorite son. Holding a tray of emeralds and rubies, the father contemplates a ruby in his right hand, while the child grasps a peacock fan and a turban ornament. The sumptuousness of court life is conveyed in the detailed depiction of the jewels, the gilded furniture, the textiles, and, most spectacularly, the large bolster with its designs of figures and plants.. "The Emperor Shah Jahan with his Son Dara Shikoh", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album 451283

The representation with an astrologer is edged with two decorative borders, one in beige with gold and black and gold framing lines, the second, outer border is made of green marbled paper of which the vertical strips are glued to the horizontal, Scene with astrologer, draughtsman: anonymous, Hyderabad, c. 1715 - c. 1735, paper, brush, h 229 mm × w 133 mm, h 370 mm × w 248 mm

Faridun leading the Persians against the tyrant Zahhak (Manuscript illumination from the epic Shahname by Ferdowsi) by Iranian master / Private Collection / 1650 / Iran / Gouache on paper / Mythology, Allegory and Literature / 31,3x20,6

King Khusraw and Barbad, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). India (), 1475-1500. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, and black and red ink on paper

Shri raga, anonymous, 1780 Indian miniature. drawing In front of a house with roof terrace are an old man with an Indian Zither, next to him is a person with a head in the form of a horse that plays another instrument. The listener sits on a low table with a large green leading role, behind him is a fourth person; The dark sky indicates that it is night. The show is placed in a frame of gold -colored and black framework lines with gold -colored leaf motifs and glued to blue -picked paper. Deccan paper brush

Lovers on a Moonlit Night Indian. Lovers on a Moonlit Night, ca. 1775. Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, sheet: 13 3/8 x 10 11/16 in. (34.0 x 27.1 cm). Asian Art ca. 1775

"Laila and Majnun at School", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami. Author: Nizami (Ilyas Abu Muhammad Nizam al-Din of Ganja) (probably 1141-1217). Calligrapher: Ja'far Baisunghuri (active first half 15th century). Dimensions: Page: H. 12 5/16 in. (31.3 cm)W. 9 in. (22.9cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: A.H. 835/ A.D. 1431-32.This splendid painting is from a manuscript of the frequently illustrated story of Laila and Majnun by the twelfth-century Persian poet Nizami. It was commissioned by the Timurid prince Baisunghur of Herat, one of the greatest bibliophiles in all Islamic history, who gathered at his court the very best painters from Baghdad, Tabriz, Shiraz, and Samarkand to illustrate his matchless collection of books. This illustration depicts Qais, the future "mad one" (Majnun) for love, and Laila, his beloved, who meet for the first time as children at a mosque school. The painting underscores the closely related aesthetics of figural painting an

A Lady Gazing at Doves ca. 1780-1800 India (Punjab Hills, Mandi). A Lady Gazing at Doves 37987

Vishnu sitting on a throne on the first floor of a building. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1800 - 1825. Place: Pahari. Measurements: h 364 mm × w 275 mm; h 275 mm × w 212 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Dancing Krishna, Anonymous, 1850 Indian miniature. drawing Krishna stands on a blue -dotted surface against an orange background with a sash in his raised arms. The show is framed by a narrow decorative edge in night blue with flower and leaf vines in white and gold; On the two vertical edges and the upper edge, the decorative edge is pissed off with red; The lower right corner is torn off a large part of the leaf. Paari paper. deck paint brush / brush

Three suitors fight amongst themselves for the hand of the devotees daughter, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twentieth 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 10 cm (3 7/8 x 3 15/16 in.). In the foreground, three men brawl. Each was promised the hand of a religious mans daughter, and each believed himself to be the worthiest suitor. The daughter, sitting in the chamber with her mother, is so upset by the conflict that she falls ill and appears to die. Her father, the devotee, sits in the background alongside his son.

"Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand", Folio from a Shahnama 15th century Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. "Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand", Folio from a Shahnama. 15th century. Opaque water color and gold on paper. Attributed to Iran. Codices

Young woman on a terrace in front of a Paleisport, Anonymous, 1790 - 1810 Indian miniature. drawing On a terrace in front of a Paleisport a young woman sits on a roll cushion, left in front of her is another young woman with a striped scarf around her head and shoulders who explain something with the help of her hands; Right behind a servant waves her coolness, standing scales and bottles on the multicolored carpet; The show is provided with two columns of text on the upper and bottom, which continue on the back, pissed around with framework lines. The show is equipped with two columns of text on top and bottom and on Verso; Around lines around, partly colored. Cashmir paper brush / brush

The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twenty-third 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: 8.7 x 10.1 cm (3 7/16 x 4 in.).

A King Enthroned on a Terrace, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). India, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir region, 18th century. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper

"The Iranians Mourn Farud and Jarira", Folio 236r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp. Artist: Painting attributed to 'Abd al-'Aziz (active first half 16th century); Painting attributed to Mirza Muhammad Qabahat. Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Painting: H. 11 1/4 x W. 7 5/16 in. (H. 28.6 x W. 18.6 cm)Entire Page: H. 18 5/8 x W. 12 1/2 in. (H. 47.3 x W. 31.8 cm). Date: ca. 1525-30.The Shahnama is filled with tragic events and moments of intense drama. On the page illustrated here, the painters have depicted the mourning of Iranians over the tragic destiny of Farud, the son of Prince Siyavush, and Jarira, his mother. After witnessing her son's death, Jarira ripped open her belly with a dagger. Then, lying down with her face against Farud's, she let herself die.The scene is one of the most emotionally charged in the entire manuscript. The women pull out their hair and cry, the courtiers beat their heads in despair, while the the creased expressions o

"Alexander at a Banquet", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami. Author: Nizami (Ilyas Abu Muhammad Nizam al-Din of Ganja) (probably 1141-1217). Calligrapher: Sultan Muhammad Nur (ca. 1472-ca. 1536). Dimensions: Painting: H. 6 11/16 in. (17 cm) W. 4 1/2 in. (11.5 cm)Page: H. 12 1/2 (31.7 cm) W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: dated A.H. 931/A.D. 1524-25.The Khamsa of Nizami, written between 1298 and 1302, is a canonical work of Persian literature. One of the five poems within it tells the story of Alexander the Great, who is identified as the half-brother of the Persian king Darab in various histories. By presenting Alexander in this manner, the audience was able to identify with its ancestors' conqueror. Although the story took place in the fourth century BC, the objects that appear in this feast (bazm) scene provide an insight into the types of luxury objects and musical instruments that were in use at the time that the manuscript was

"The Court of Ravana", Folio from a Ramayana. Dimensions: Painting: H. 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm) W. 7 7/16 in. (18.9 cm)Page: H. 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm) W. 7 7/16 in. (18.9 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: ca. 1605.The page comes from a copy of the Ramayana probably made for the Mughal courtier Bir Singh Deo of Datia. Inspired by fifteenth-century Indian and Persian painting, this folio is unique from the others in this manuscript. The array of demon courtiers attending the ten-headed demon-king Ravana come right out of Safavid paintings of divs, while the ornament of the pavilion resembles the Persian tile decoration found in paintings from Shiraz. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Afrasiyab Killing Naudar, a folio from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Book of Kings). Date/Period: Ca. 1335 ca.E. Manuscript Illumination. Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper. Height: 227.08 mm (8.94 in); Width: 288.80 mm (11.37 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

The third suitor strikes the devotees daughter and thus restores her to life, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Twentieth 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: 7.8 x 10.1 cm (3 1/16 x 4 in.). After the sudden, apparent death of the pious mans daughter, her three suitors take her body from its grave. One of the suitors, a doctor, realizes that the woman is not dead and proposes flailing her to restore her consciousness. After she is successfully revived, the men resume their rivalry.

A feast in a pavilion setting, c. 1620. Attributed to Muhammad Ali (Persian, active 1590-1620). Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; overall: 23.4 x 14.6 cm (9 3/16 x 5 3/4 in.).

35mm original

Ragini Gujari, Page from a Jaipur Ragamala Set 1745-1770 Rajasthan. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper .

Album Page with Calligraphic Specimen Designed 1685-1750 India. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper . Mughal

Dancers in a palace room. In a room of a palace there is a dancer for a bed to dance, to the left of her is a second dancer squatting on a pillow, a musical instrument in her right arm holding; On the right a tabouret with jugs and scales. The presentation is dejected to the top edge as part of the gate with decorative edges; around a red-brown edge with black and white frame lines; Damage to the edges.

Couple on a terrace. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1790 - 1810. Place: Kashmir. Measurements: h 184 mm × w 115 mm; h 145 mm × w 85 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Twenty-ninth 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; painting only: 9.7 x 10 cm (3 13/16 x 3 15/16 in.); overall: 20 x 14.2 cm (7 7/8 x 5 9/16 in.).

Vrouw op een troon, die een man toespreekt, achter hem vijf dienaressen. Vijf illustraties van Kamsa door Nizami met tekst (series title). Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1500 - 1600. Place: Persia. Measurements: h 188 mm × w 124 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Lady with two deer. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1810. Place: Chamba. Measurements: h 203 mm × w 128 mm; h 275 mm × w 194 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Desakshari-ragini, anonymous, c. 1610 - c. 1620 Indian miniature In a hilly pink landscape there is a prince on a taboeret, left in front of him a young woman, two women opposite her, one with a high hand under the chin of the young woman, on the right in the foreground a dog, in the background bushes and bushes and Trees in stylized form, above it a few lines of text. Around the show a night blue edge with white framework lines; Leaf is glued to cardboard. Deccan paper. gouache (paint) brush

Interior of a Courtyard with Figures early 17th century. Interior of a Courtyard with Figures 445280

Woman is led to her lover, Dipak Raga, Anonymous, 1770 - 1790 Indian miniature. drawing Lucknow paper brush

Venus. Date/Period: Ca. 1460. Woodcut. Woodcut hand-coloured through stencils. Height: 270 mm (10.62 in); Width: 183 mm (7.20 in). Author: Unknown Dutch artist.

Woman is led to her lover, Dipak raga, draughtsman: anonymous, Lucknow, 1770 - 1790, paper, brush, h 184 mm × w 113 mm, h 284 mm × w 188 mm

The Brahman, unable to select from the four gifts of the king of the Ocean seeks the Rajas advice, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh 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: 10.4 x 10.1 cm (4 1/8 x 4 in.).

"Kai Khusrau Enthroned Holding a Sword", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: Painting with Text Block: H. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm) W. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)Page: H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)W. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: ca. 1300-30.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. Museum: Metropolitan Mu

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.

Dervarata ragini, anonymous, c. 1690 Indian miniature. drawing Against the black background of a space in a palace, a young man kneels for a lady on a taboeret, she sits with her back to him, her arms above her head raised to the man; At the top of the show three turban dome and a mirroring thereof on the white edge of the roof, at the bottom of the performance a geometric pattern with two carafes in the corners. Around the show a border in orange -redly trimmed with a white piping in red framework lines, the roof part runs in the edge. Sirohi (possibly) paper brush

Dame bij toilet.A servant serves the feet of her mistress in a room in a palace, for the ladies there are an oil jug and a dish. The show is immamed by a thin blue decorative edge within a framework of red and gold lines whose outer framework lines with a block pattern that repeatedly contained in the exterior ornamental framed frame lines containing a stylized flower and diamond pattern in pink, gold and green On a ocher-colored surface, the wide edge is framed by a thin browned plain edge.

Milton, a poem in 12 books, c1815. By William Blake (1757-1827) an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Printed in orange on 50 leaves, from engraved plates containing both text and illustrations

Iranian master State Hermitage, St. Petersburg Book Art 23,7x13,7 Mythology, Allegory and Literature Khusraw Feasting

Illustration to the Tenth and Eleventh Book of Purana, c. 1830. India, Pahari Hills, Kangra school, 19th century. Ink and color on paper; overall: 29.2 x 37.4 cm (11 1/2 x 14 3/4 in.); painting only: 22.9 x 32.4 cm (9 x 12 3/4 in.).

"Rustam Slays Esfandiyar", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Artist: Attributed to Mu'in Musavvir (active ca. 1630-97). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: 13.5 in. high 8.75 in. wide (34.3 cm high 22.2 cm wide). Date: 1666-67. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

35mm original

"Khusrau Seated on his Throne", Folio 64 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami. Artist: Painting by Shaikh Zada. Author: Nizami (Ilyas Abu Muhammad Nizam al-Din of Ganja) (probably 1141-1217). Calligrapher: Sultan Muhammad Nur (ca. 1472-ca. 1536); Mahmud Muzahhib. Dimensions: Page: H. 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm) W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: A.H. 931/A.D. 1524-25.Seated on his throne under a colorful canopy, the king Khusrau Parviz holds court. Toward the middle of the composition, a pair of figures captures our attention. A bearded man holds an inscribed paper in one hand, while a young man applies ink to a seal ring on the other. This action likely identifies the bearded man as a chancery scribe, or courtier, entrusted with writing official correspondence and affixing the ruler's seal. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Vabhruvahana Approaches Arjuna, page from the Khan Khanan's Razm-nama, c. 1610 () - 1617. Sur Das Gujarati (Indian, active 16th century). Ink and color with gold on paper; overall: 35 x 24 cm (13 3/4 x 9 7/16 in.).

Jalandhara Ragaputra, from a Ragamala series. Date: ca. 1740-1750. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Origin: Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh state, India. Museum: Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.

"The Fox and the Drum", 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 Fox and the Drum", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna 453083

The deceitful wife returns to her terrace after caressing her lover, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eighth Night, c. 1560. Shravana (Indian). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 8.9 x 10 cm (3 1/2 x 3 15/16 in.).

Folio from a Haft awrang (Seven thrones) by Jami (d.1492) verso: the Aziz and Zulaykha enter the capital of Egypt and the Egyptians come out to greet them. Date/Period: Before 1565. Painting / watercolor painting. Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper. Height: 34.2 cm (13.4 in); Width: 23.2 cm (9.1 in). Author: Artist Unknown.

An Episode from the Story of the Sasanian King Khusrau and His Beloved Shirin, from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami (1141-1209) (verso), 1540-70. Iran, probably Shiraz, Safavid period (1501-1722). Opaque watercolor, ink, gold, and silver on paper; sheet: 29.6 x 16.2 cm (11 5/8 x 6 3/8 in.); image: 21 x 14 cm (8 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.).

Sulaymân seated in his castle where he can see anything that happens beyond its wall; he is surrounded by a hoopoe, a leopard, a lion, and a deer, f. 304v. 1540 - 1545. Qazwīnī, Zakarīyā ibn Muammad, approximately 1203-1283. text. Illuminations, Manuscripts, Miniatures (Illuminations). Spencer Collection. Mountains, Birds, Animals, Manuscripts, Persian

Shispul Arguing with Rukmini's Father, Bhishmaka, page from a Rukmini Mangal series, c. 1800. Possibly by Mola Ram (Indian). Ink and color on paper; image: 21.6 x 30.5 cm (8 1/2 x 12 in.); overall: 24.5 x 33 cm (9 5/8 x 13 in.).

"Jahangir and his Father, Akbar", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca.1540-50 Painting by Balachand. "Jahangir and his Father, Akbar", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album 451264

King Isfandiyar on horseback, draughtsman: anonymous, India, 1625 - 1635, paper, brush, h 162 mm × w 137 mm, h 236 mm × w 192 mm

Bahram Gur and Azada, from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940-1019 or 1025), 1500s. Iran, Tabriz or Qazvin, Safavid period (1501-1722). Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; sheet: 32.5 x 21.5 cm (12 13/16 x 8 7/16 in.); image: 17.4 x 11 cm (6 7/8 x 4 5/16 in.).

Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi 1602 (text); 19th century (paintings, illumination, binding) Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi 446556

Persian Couplets (recto); Sleeping Youth (verso), late 1500s-early 1600s. Style of Riza-yi Abbasi (Iranian). Ink, gold and opaque watercolor on paper; image: 21 x 12.4 cm (8 1/4 x 4 7/8 in.); overall: 31.6 x 20.4 cm (12 7/16 x 8 1/16 in.); text area: 21 x 12.4 cm (8 1/4 x 4 7/8 in.). Under Shah Abbas, the tradition in which painting was employed to illustrate a literary work was all but abandoned. In its place came a new concern with single-page illustrations, such as this one, which have no specific content or meaning. They often illustrate albums of collections of verses about love and beauty, in which these themes often appear to serve as allegories of things divine.

Kneeling Youth. Dimensions: 6.37 in. high 3.50 in. wide (16.5 cm high 8.9 cm wide). Date: late 16th century.This drawing of a kneeling youth wearing a fur-lined gold cap is based on a work attributed to Shaikh Muhammad, an artist who was active from the 1530s to the end of the 1580s. The gold decoration on the figure's robe, the chain of amulets and a purse across his chest, and the landscape elements do not appear in the original. Despite the long tresses, dangling earring, and narrow waist of this figure, his cap and pose indicate that he is a young man. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Iskandarnama (Book of Alexander) 1790-91 Nizami. Iskandarnama (Book of Alexander). 1790-91. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper. Attributed to present-day Pakistan, Lahore. Codices

Women after bath. Maker: anonymous. Dating: 1700 - 1800. Place: Deccan. Measurements: h 124 mm × w 118 mm; h 220 mm × w 180 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

"Kai Khusrau, Gudarz and Giv Capturing the Demon's Fortress, Bahman ()", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings). Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935-1020). Dimensions: 7.62 in. high 7.75 in. wide (19.4 cm high 19.7 cm wide). Date: ca. 1430-40.Kai Kavus, the king of Iran, promised that whoever could capture the impregnable fortress of Bahman in Azerbaijan would share his throne. Tus and Fariburz made the first attempt but were driven back by the terrible heat. Then Kai Khusrau sent a message to those guarding the fortress, saying that he came in God's name and if the fortress was inhabited by divs (devils), God would vanquish it. At that moment, there was a thunderous crack in the ramparts and its walls disintegrated. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

"The Rogue's Father Emerges from the Tree", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna. Dimensions: 12.5 in. high 8.87 in. wide (31.8 cm high 22.6 cm wide). Date: 18th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

A Hindu frost under a canopy (Raja Bhoj), Anonymous, 1775 - 1799 Indian miniature. drawing A frost is under a canopy, against a pillow (rajput style). He holds a arrow and an arc. Behind him a servant in a white robe and with a peacock springs in his hand. At the top inscription in the Nashtaliq writing. Lucknow paper brush

Dame in een grot in een rotslandschap met herten.On the right at the show a round vault in a hilly landscape in which white deer walk around, behind the vault a tree and under the vault against the gray background a kneeling woman with her face to the deer; Two columns text at the top and bottom of the performance and on the back, framed by frame lines. Two columns text on front and back in black, on verso a horizontal tire in blue with text in white.

Portrait of Sardar Singh (Son of Savant Singh, 1730-68), c. 1760. Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Kishangarh. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; image: 27.9 x 21.9 cm (11 x 8 5/8 in.); overall: 34.6 x 26.6 cm (13 5/8 x 10 1/2 in.). The ruler of the princely state of Kishangarh chose to have himself depicted in an intoxicatingly paradisiacal setting. He and his queen occupy jeweled chairs on a white marble terrace with formal flower gardens overlooking a lake. They listen to a musical performance while female attendants stand ready to whisk away flies and serve tiny bottles liquor. The fresh palette and dramatically elongated eyes, especially on the women, are hallmarks of the most celebrated works from this Rajput court. The king is portrayed with less exaggerated features than the women, which makes him seem more human, despite the halo that sets off his face and elaborate turban.

Standing lady. The decorative edge consists of two horizontal and two vertical strips of a stylized leaf refuel motif in gold on dark red; The blade with the performance is stuck on the decorative edges.

Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi; Majnun throwing himself onto Layla's grave. Date/Period: Ca. 1450. Manuscript. Ink and color on paper. Height: 340 mm (13.38 in); Width: 229 mm (9.01 in). Author: UNKNOWN.

Rama and Lakshmana fight against the demons Maricha and Suvahu. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: c. 1750 - c. 1775. Place: Chamba. Measurements: h 138 mm × w 240 mm; h 176 mm × w 276 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Fight of Salm and Tur with Irai, Anonymous, 1590 - 1610 Indian miniature. drawing The sons of King Faridur, Salm, Tur and Irai, fight for the allocated Land of Irai (Iran). India paper. gouache (paint) brush

The Tale of the Twelve Faces. "The Warriors Engage in Combat": Illustration from the Firdausi Shahnama (verso), 1341. Iran, Shiraz, Inju Period (Il-Khanid), 14th Century. Opaque watercolor and ink on paper; sheet: 36.3 x 30 cm (14 5/16 x 11 13/16 in.); image: 28.6 x 24.5 cm (11 1/4 x 9 5/8 in.); overall: 37 x 30 cm (14 9/16 x 11 13/16 in.).

A regally dressed person sits in a hilly landscape and is offered a bowl of fruit by his servant sitting in front of him, in the foreground are two musicians. The representation is stuck in a framework of frame lines, the edges are a bit worn out here and there and the frame line has been put in some places on a strip pasted over the old edge, the unadorned outer edge of the leaf runs along the top, bottom and left side of the representation., Sovereignly dressed person in a hilly landscape, draughtsman: anonymous, Iran, 1500 - 1800, paper, brush, h 151 mm × w 85 mm, h 216 mm × w 130 mm

RecliningCourtier. Artist, style of: Riza Abbasi, Iranian, ca. 1565-1635

Portrait of a Prince Indian. Portrait of a Prince, ca. 1700-1710. Opaque watercolor on paper, sheet: 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 in. (14.3 x 19.4 cm). Asian Art ca. 1700-1710

The Night Attack of Bahram Chubina on the Army of Khusraw Parvis, Page from a Manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdawsi. Iran, Shiraz, circa 1560. Manuscripts; folios. Opaque watercolor heightened with gold and silver on paper

"Nushirvan Promulgates His Reforms", Folio 602v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp ca. 1530-35 Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Nushirvan (r. 531-79) became known for the reforms he instituted, especially in the system of taxation. Here he dictates to a scribe a letter to his agents, outlining the new system and also setting forth principles of conduct: judiciousness and absolute scrupulousness in the administration of their duties. Muzaffar 'Ali, who painted this illustration, worked for the Safavid court through the entire reign of Shah Tahmasp. As is typical of works by the second generation of Shahnama artists, the figures here are larger in scale and fewer in number than in comparable Shahnama compositions completed between 1525 and 1530.. "Nushirvan Promulgates His Reforms", Folio 602v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 452177

A watercolor painting showing a prince caressing a woman, seated in a composed setting.

Swinging women. Draughtsman: anonymous (attributed to). Dating: c. 1770 - c. 1790. Place: Shorapur. Measurements: h 260 mm × w 195 mm; h 293 mm × w 228 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Iskander with two ladies. Draughtsman: anonymous. Dating: 1490 - 1510. Place: Kashmir. Measurements: h 244 mm × w 174 mm; h 192 mm × w 127 mm; h 55 mm × w 70 mm. Museum: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Against a bright yellow background stands Yasoda with raised arms and hands intertwined around an object to which the little Krishna eagerly reaches out with raised arms. The depiction is delineated with a broad black border and thin lines on once white painted paper, A Woman and a Child (Yashoda and Krishna)., draughtsman: anonymous, Mewar, c. 1800 - c. 1820, paper, brush, h 243 mm × w 155 mm

Bahram Gur Hunting Onagers with Fitna, Page from the Haft paykar (Seven Portraits), from a manuscript of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami (d. 1209) Nizami. Bahram Gur Hunting Onagers with Fitna, Page from the Haft paykar (Seven Portraits), from a manuscript of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami (d. 1209), 1495. Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, 4 x 4 1/16 in. (10.2 x 10.3 cm). Arts of the Islamic World 1495

Prince Picnicking with Female Attendants. Iran, 18th century or later. Manuscripts; folios. Ink and colors on paper

LAMINA INDIA-DIGNATARIOS EN PALACIO HACIENDO UNA RECEPCION-S XIX. Location: PRIVATE COLLECTION. MADRID. SPAIN.

Hindola Raga, circa 1790-1800, Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Lady at a seat. On a gold-colored chair on a terrace is a red-clad lady, in her left hand she holds the hose of the hookah that is right in front of her, left for her a bowl whose pigeons peck and in the background three bins with flowering plants ; Central front on the terrace two blades with caraffn and jars. The performance lies in black, red and white exchanges, a golden piping around the inner edge, the outer edge of the leaf is in heavenly blue with leafs in gold, the vertical edges narrower than the horizontal, around the painted edge even more framing lines White, red and black, also filled in with a golden piping in the middle.

Tiered Court Scene, c. 1735. Chitarman II (Indian, c. 1680-с. 1750). Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper;

On a lotus flower resting on a water turtle in the river stands the second appearance of Vishnu, gods and monsters are holding a cobra tied around the stem of the lotus flower, in the river two praying figures, in the background a kneeling woman and against the sky on the hilltop an elephant and a many-headed horse. Around the representation a narrow orange and a narrow golden rim., Churning of the ocean, draughtsman: anonymous, Murshidabad, 1790 - 1810, paper, brush, brush, h 227 mm × w 152 mm, h 208 mm × w 137 mm

"Battle Between Iranians and Turanians", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1562-83 Muhammad al-Qivam al-Shirazi. "Battle Between Iranians and Turanians", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 455044

DERVARATA Ragini. Against the black background of a room in a palace kneels a young man for a lady on a tabouret, she sits with her back to him, raised her arms above her head that has drew to the man; At the top of the show three turban domes and a reflection thereof on the white edge of the roof, at the bottom of the show a geometric pattern with two carafes in the corners. Around the show a border in orange-red deposited with a white piping in red frame lines, the roof game runs into the edge.

"Battle Scene", Folio from a Zafarnama (Book of Victories) of Sharaf al-Din 'Ali Yazdi. Author: Sharaf al-din 'Ali Yazdi (1424-54). Dimensions: Painting: H. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm) W. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)Page: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm) W. 8 7/16 in. (21.5 cm)Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm). Date: 1485-86.This folio is from a manuscript now in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, whose colophon gives the date 891 (A.D. 1485-86). Several different styles of paintings appear in the manuscript, some of which may have been painted later, in the early Safavid period, although this folio was likely completed at the time of the manuscript's production. Timur, appearing near the top left of the page in a green jama, is but one part of the lively scene. While the exact subject of the painting is not known, it may depict Timur fighting either the Badakhshan army or the Khazars. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Bhopali Ragini, Folio from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies). India, Deccan, 18th century. Drawings; watercolors. Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper

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