"Abu'l Mihjan and Sa`d ibn Abi Wakkas Before a Ruler", Folio from a Khavarannama (The Book of the East) of ibn Husam al-Din

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folio from the *Khavarannama* (The Book of the), a Persian epic poem by Maulana Muhammad Ibn Husam ad-Din, captures a dramatic moment: the poet-warrior Abu'l Mihjan the revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Sa`d ibn Abi Wakkas, standing before a ruler. Created around 1476–86, it hails from the vibrant tradition of late Timurid or Turkman manuscript illumination, likely produced in a Persian workshop such as Shiraz. Rendered in opaque watercolor and ink on paper (measuring 15 7/16 x 10 7/8 inches), the artwork exemplifies the refined techniques of Persian miniature painting. Artists layered brilliant, jewel-like pigments for vivid scenes, with intricate gold accents and delicate line work bringing figures to life against architectural backdrops. As a codex leaf from the Islamic Art collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acquired via Rogers Fund, 1955), it showcases the fusion of poetry, history, and devotion in 15th-century Iran. Culturally, the *Khavarannama* celebrates early Islamic conquests in the East, blending heroism with moral tales. This folio invites visitors to marvel at how manuscripts preserved epic narratives, serving as both literary treasures and visual spectacles in royal libraries, bridging faith, literature, and artistry across centuries.