Double Page in Nasta'liq Script from a Yusuf and Zulaikha of Jami

Art Historical Context

This exquisite double-page spread in Nasta'liq script from a 16th manuscript of *Yusuf and Zulaikha*, the renowned Persian poem by Sufi mystic Maulana Nur al-Din `Abd al-Rahman Jami. Composed in the late 15th century, Jami's romantic epic reinterprets the Quranic tale of the prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and Zulaikha (Potiphar's wife) as a profound allegory of divine love and spiritual longing. Produced in the second half of the 16th century—likely during the Safavid in Persia—this page exemplifies the pinnacle of Islamic manuscript arts, blending poetry with visual splendor. Crafted with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, the folio showcases Nasta'liq, a fluid and elegant cursive script developed in the Timurid period and perfected for Persian poetry. Its sweeping curves and rhythmic flow create a sense of movement, enhanced by delicate gold illuminations and vibrant colors that frame the text. Measuring about 9 by 6 inches per page, such codices were treasured luxury items, often commissioned by elites for private contemplation. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Cora Timken Burnett Collection, this artifact highlights Persia's cultural golden age, where calligraphy was revered as a sacred art form bridging literature, spirituality, and aesthetics. Visitors can appreciate how these pages invited readers to linger, savoring Jami's verses amid their luminous beauty.