Illuminated Opening Page Titled Laila and Majnun from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
In fine Persian manuscripts it was customary to surround the first two pages of the text with illuminated decoration. In this period a very fine blue made from lapis lazuli, a rich source of which was found in Afghanistan where the city of Herat is now located, in conjunction with gold was the dominant color. Other colors were used sparingly but with an artistry that greatly enriched the overall effect. Amongst the decorative devices arabesques, floral scrolls, and palmette scrolls predominate. Framing bands and panels with cartouches, as seen here, are characteristic. The flawless quality of the illumination in this manuscript suggests that it might be by the hand of Khalil, a favorite painter of Baisunghur who worked in the royal kitabkhana.
Artwork Details
- Title: Illuminated Opening Page Titled Laila and Majnun from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
- Calligrapher: Ja'far Baisunghuri (Iranian, active Herat, first half 15th century)
- Author: Nizami (present-day Azerbaijan, Ganja 1141–1209 Ganja)
- Date: 835 AH/1431–32 CE
- Geography: Made in present-day Afghanistan, Herat
- Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
- 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) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1994
- Object Number: 1994.232.3
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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Ja'far Baisunghuri
Nizami
dated 835 AH/1431–32 CE
Ja'far Baisunghuri
Nizami
835 AH/1431–32 CE
Ja'far Baisunghuri
Nizami
dated 835 AH/1431–32 CE
Multiple artists/makers
931 AH/1524–25 CE
early 16th century
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