KHUSRAW SPIES SHIRIN BATHING, PERSIA 18TH CENTURY
KHUSRAW SPIES SHIRIN BATHING, PERSIA 18TH CENTURY
Ink and gouache heightened with gold on paper, the central painting depicts Khusraw spying on Shirin while bathing, four lines of text in black nasta'liq script written in two columns above and below the painting, surrounded by a text written diagonally, all ruled in polychrome borders.
The scene depicts the culminating moment in the passionate love affair between Persian legendary King Khusraw II (Sasanian dynasty, r. 590–628) and Shirin, an Armenian princess. After days of longing, Khusraw coincidentally encounters Shirin for the first time as she bathes in a pond. Entranced by each other’s beauty, the lovers remain speechless. Although rooted in oral tradition, the tale of Khusraw and Shirin found its greatest expression as one of the five narrative poems of the Khamsa (Quintet), composed by the celebrated Nizami of Ganja (1141–1209).
22 by 15 cm.
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KHUSRAW SPIES SHIRIN BATHING, PERSIA 18TH CENTURY
Ink and gouache heightened with gold on paper, the central painting depicts Khusraw spying on Shirin while bathing, four lines of text in black nasta'liq script written in two columns above and below the painting, surrounded by a text written diagonally, all ruled in polychrome borders.
The scene depicts the culminating moment in the passionate love affair between Persian legendary King Khusraw II (Sasanian dynasty, r. 590–628) and Shirin, an Armenian princess. After days of longing, Khusraw coincidentally encounters Shirin for the first time as she bathes in a pond. Entranced by each other’s beauty, the lovers remain speechless. Although rooted in oral tradition, the tale of Khusraw and Shirin found its greatest expression as one of the five narrative poems of the Khamsa (Quintet), composed by the celebrated Nizami of Ganja (1141–1209).
22 by 15 cm.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
