ManuscriptsPersian16th century

Illustrated Manuscript of Yusuf va Zulaykha by Jami

16th century

Description

This manuscript of Jami’s Yusuf and Zulaykha retains its decorated binding, double illuminated frontispiece, and five illustrations. The text is copied in nasta`liq in two columns on a gold-sprinkled ground on 142 folios. The text appears to be intact, but paintings occur only in the first 95 folios. The paintings can be described as: 31 verso: Zulaykha and her nurse are seated on a throne in a garden pavilion, receiving ambassadors of kings proposing marriage to Zulaykha. The miniature is placed in chapter "the suitors" (see Griffith, Yusuf and Zulaykha, London, 1882) after the 26th couplet (See Mudarris Gilani, Haft awrang, Tehran, 1351[1972] for the Persian text). 37 recto: Zulaykha and her nurse are on their way to Egypt seated in a litter on camelback, surrounded by men and women on horseback. The miniature is placed in chapter "the departure" (see Griffith, Yusuf and Zulaykha, London, 1882) after the 39th couplet (See Mudarris Gilani, Haft awrang, Tehran, 1351[1972] for the Persian text). 53 verso: Yusuf is rescued from the pit. The miniature is placed in chapter "the well" (see Griffith, Yusuf and Zulaykha, London, 1882) after the 18th couplet (See Mudarris Gilani, Haft awrang, Tehran, 1351[1972] for the Persian text). 56 verso: Yusuf and an angel in the Nile, alongside a boat filled with men. The miniature is placed in chapter "the bath" (see Griffith, Yusuf and Zulaykha, London, 1882) after the 9th couplet (See Mudarris Gilani, Haft awrang, Tehran, 1351[1972] for the Persian text). 95 verso: Zulaykha’s female guests (women of Egypt) cut their hands with knives, stunned by the beauty of Yusuf, while the enthroned Zulaykha is fanned by an attendant. The miniature is placed in chapter "the women of Memphis" (see Griffith, Yusuf and Zulaykha, London, 1882) after the 84th couplet (See Mudarris Gilani, Haft awrang, Tehran, 1351[1972] for the Persian text).

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Leather binding, ink and watercolors on paper.

Culture

Persian

Period

Safavid period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

24.1 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm (9 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 1 in.)

Provenance

[Hotel Drouot, Paris, 28 March 1968, lot 77], [through Jean Soustiel, Paris], sold; to Edwin Binney, 3rd, California (1969-1986), bequest; to Harvard Art Museums, 2011. NOTE: Stored at the San Diego Museum of Art from some time before 1986 until 1991, then at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art from 1991-2011.