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"Alexander and the Circle of Seven Sages", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja

Nizami

15th century

"Alexander and the Circle of Seven Sages", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja by Nizami

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Dimensions

Painting and Text Block: H. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm) W. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm) Page: H.10 15/16 in. (27.8 cm) W. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm) Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)

Classification

Codices

Department

Islamic Art

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Alexander Smith Cochran, 1913

Accession Number

13.228.9.2

Tags

Alexander The GreatMen

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folio from a 15th-century *Khamsa* (Quintet) by the renowned Persian poet Nizami of Ganja captures a pivotal moment in his epic *Iskandarnama*, Alexander the Great (known as Iskandar in Islamic tradition) convenes with the Circle of Seven Sages.izami's *Khamsa*, a masterpiece of medieval Persian literature comprising five romantic epics, blends history, philosophy, and adventure, portraying Alexander not just as a conqueror as a wise seeker of knowledge. Created in the vibrant tradition of Persian manuscript illumination, this scene reflects the Timurid-era fascination with lege...

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