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Majnun in the Wilderness

second half 16th century
Not on view
This drawing depicts Majnun in the desert chucking a fawn under the chin. The Arab boy Qais earned the name Majnun, meaning 'mad one', because he fell in love with Laila and his unrequited desire drove him crazy. Eventually he left his tribe and went to live in the desert, where he befriended the animals. This drawing was probably not intended as a manuscript illustration, but would have been placed in an album.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Majnun in the Wilderness
  • Date: second half 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink, transparent watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
    W. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George D. Pratt, 1935
  • Object Number: 45.174.6
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
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"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
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Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi
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Tughra (Insignia) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Tughra (Insignia) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66)
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"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
Multiple artists/makers
931 AH/1524–25 CE

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