"Sultan Sanjar and the Old Woman", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami

Nizami (Ilyas Abu Muhammad Nizam al-Din of Ganja) · 1524-01-01T00:00:00Z

This folio is from a lavishly illustrated copy of the Khamsa (Quintet) by the poet Nizami. The calligrapher of this manuscript, Sultan Muhammad Nur, is known to have worked in Herat during the reign of the Timurid ruler Sultan Husain Baiqara, along with the famous painter Bihzad. By the time this manuscript was produced, however, the city had come under Safavid control. Nevertheless, this painting exemplifies the fine drawing and jewel‑like finish of the style established within Sultan Husain’s royal workshop.