Nezami Ganjavi
Alexander Feasting with the Emperor of China, Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami
Author
Nezami Ganjavi(Persian, 1141–1217)Persian, 1141–1217
CulturePersian
Titles
- Alexander Feasting with the Emperor of China, Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami
Datesecond quarter of 16th century
MediumInk, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
DimensionsSheet: 12 1/4 × 8 1/4 in. (31.1 × 21 cm)
Mount: 15 1/8 × 10 1/2 in. (38.4 × 26.7 cm)
Mount: 15 1/8 × 10 1/2 in. (38.4 × 26.7 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mrs. E.M. Soudavar
Object number2013.102
Non exposé
Explore Further
Department
Art of the Islamic WorldsObject Type
in this illustration from an Iskandarnama, or Book of Alexander, written by Nizami Ganjavi (1141–1217), a prolific 12th-century Persian poet
of romantic epics. Nizami weaves Alexander the Great’s life and exploits into an amalgamation of Islamic myths and Greek romances. Here,
Alexander is clad in the attire of the Safavid shahs, creating an explicit association between the Safavid rulers and Alexander’s lineage
and power.
Provenance Research Ongoing
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
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