Folio from a Khavarannama (The Book of the East) of ibn Husam al-Din

Art Historical Context

This folio comes from an illustrated manuscript of the *Khavarannama* (The Book of the East), a Persian epic poem composed by Maulana Muhammad ibn Husam ad-Din in the fifteenth century. The text recounts the heroic exploits of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, blending Islamic history with fantastical adventures. Created around 1476–86, the manuscript reflects the rich tradition of Persian storytelling during the late Timurid period, when epic literature flourished in illustrated codices. The painting employs opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper, te...