The battle depicted in this illustration from a 1548 (955 A.H.) Iranian manuscript is a scene from the narrative poem (or khamsa) of Leyla and Majnun by the Persian poet Nizami (d.1209). In this scene, an Arab soldier, Nufal, goes into battle against the leaders of Leyla’s tribe after learning how Majnun, a young man driven mad by his love for Leyla, was denied permission to marry her by her father. In the background, battlefield musicians accompany the action with war drums and various types of horns.
Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami (d.1209); verso: illustration: Nufal champions Majnun's cause in battle; recto: text
- Description
- Folio from the Layla va Majnun in the Khamsa (Quintet) by Nizami; text: Persian in black nasta'liq script; recto: text: Nufal's second attack and his victory, 4 columns, 19 lines; verso: illustration: Nufal champions Majnun's cause in battle; from the manuscript F1908.199.
- Binding: The folio is bound with the rest of the manuscript in brown leather over paper pasteboards with doublures of cream-color paper.
- Provenance
- To 1908
- Tabbagh Frères, Paris, to 1908 [1]
- From 1908 to 1919
- Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Tabbagh Frères, Paris, through the Bauer-Folsom Company, New York, in 1908 [2]
- From 1920
- Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]
- Notes:
- [1] See List of Persian Books and Paintings, S.I. 1592, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. In 1932, F1908.259-.284 were separated from F1908.199 and given their current numbers.
- [2] See note 1.
- [3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
- Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art Collection
- Exhibition History
- Near Eastern Art—Paintings, Pottery (August 18, 1967 to February 10, 1972)
- Previous custodian or owner
- Tabbagh Frères (C.L. Freer source)
- Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
- Data Source
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Calligrapher
- Murshid al-Shirazi
- Date
- 1548 (955 A.H.)
- Period
- Safavid period
- Credit Line
- Gift of Charles Lang Freer
- Medium
- Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W (overall): 13.1 x 19.7 cm (5 3/16 x 7 3/4 in)
- Type
- Manuscript
