AKM414, Khusrau and Shirin Serenading One Another,Folio from a manuscript of Khamseh (Quintet)
© The Aga Khan Museum
AKM414, Khusrau and Shirin Serenading One Another Folio from a manuscript of Khamseh (Quintet)
© The Aga Khan Museum
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Khusrau and Shirin Serenading One Another ,Folio from a manuscript of Khamseh (Quintet)
- Accession Number:AKM414
- Creator:Author: Nizami, Persian, 1121 - 1209
- Place:Iran, Shiraz
- Dimensions:29.9 cm × 20.9 cm
- Date:ca. 1560
- Materials and Technique:Opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper
This painting portrays Barbad and Nakisa, two historical musicians from the court of the Sasanian king, Khusrau Parviz (r. 591–628). The folio is from a manuscript of Khamseh (Quintet), written by the celebrated Persian poet Nizami.
Hiding in the blue tent on the left, Shirin –Khosrau Parviz’s great love—discretely passes the story of their love to Nakisa, who proceeds to sing about it while playing the harp.
Barbad—playing an ‘oud on the bottom right corner of the page—was a talented and high-rank poet-musician. He was a favourite of Khusrau Parviz, also portrayed here sitting in his white tent. It is said that Barbad had composed modes and melodies to sing to the king each day of the year and also on special occasions. The invention of pre-Islamic musical system of modes has been attributed to him.
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