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"Shaikh San'an and the Christian Maiden", Folio 22v from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)

Author Farid al-Din `Attar Iranian
ca. 1600
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
In another tale from the Mantiq al-tair, a sufi shaikh falls in love with a Christian maiden, who subjects him to many demeaning tasks to test his affections. When his followers finally convince the shaikh to leave, the maiden—realizing the error of her ways—sets off on the arduous path after him. This painting depicts the moment in the story where the shaikh, deciding to return to her, instead discovers her collapsed along the road. With her dying breath she apologizes, converts to Islam, and bids him farewell, while his astonished disciples look on.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Shaikh San'an and the Christian Maiden", Folio 22v from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)
  • Author: Farid al-Din `Attar (Iranian, Nishapur ca. 1142–ca. 1220 Nishapur)
  • Date: ca. 1600
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Isfahan
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)
    W. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
    Page: H. 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm)
    W. 8 5/16 in. (21.1 cm)
    Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1963
  • Object Number: 63.210.22
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Binding and Text-Block for the Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), Farid al-Din `Attar Iranian, Binding: Leather, gold, and color; carved, impressed, and gilded<br/>Text-block: Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Binding and Text-Block for the Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)
Farid al-Din `Attar
ca. 1600
Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), Farid al-Din `Attar Iranian, Binding: doublure
Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)
Farid al-Din `Attar
Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi
ca. 1600
Page of Calligraphy from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), Farid al-Din `Attar Iranian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Page of Calligraphy from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)
Farid al-Din `Attar
dated 892 AH/1486 CE
"Allusion to Sura 27:16", Folio from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), Farid al-Din `Attar Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Allusion to Sura 27:16", Folio from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)
Farid al-Din `Attar
Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi
dated 892 AH/1486 CE
"Shaikh Mahneh and the Villager", Folio 49r from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds), Farid al-Din `Attar Iranian, Opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
"Shaikh Mahneh and the Villager", Folio 49r from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds)
Farid al-Din `Attar
1487

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