"Hunting Scene", Folio from a Divan (Collected Works) of Mir 'Ali Shir Nava'i

About this artwork

This codices titled ""Hunting Scene", Folio from a Divan (Collected Works) of Mir 'Ali Shir Nava'i" by Mir 'Ali Shir Nava'i|Qasim 'Ali of Shiraz dates to 1580. Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, this work exemplifies the craftsmanship associated with Islamic Art. The piece demonstrates the technical skill and artistic vision characteristic of its period. The work's presence in a major museum collection attests to its significance in the broader narrative of art history. As pa...

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folio, titled "Hunting Scene," originates from a 1580 manuscript of the Divan, or collected poetic works, of Mir 'Ali Shir Nava'i. Created by artist Qasim 'Ali of Shiraz, it exemplifies the refined tradition of Persian illuminated manuscripts within Islamic art. Such codices combined literature and visual storytelling, allowing patrons to enjoy poetry alongside intricate illustrations that brought scenes of courtly life to life on the page. Executed in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, the work highlights the technical mastery of 16th-century manuscript painting. Artists applied delicate layers of pigment and shimmering gold to create luminous details, a medium well-suited to portable books that traveled between royal libraries and private collections. The scene features men on horseback pursuing animals, reflecting themes of nobility, skill, and the natural world often celebrated in Persian literature. Housed today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Islamic Art department, this folio offers visitors a window into the cultural elegance of its era. Its presence in the collection, gifted in 1913, underscores the enduring appreciation for these intimate yet powerful works of art.

About the Artist

Mir 'Ali Shir Nava'i|Qasim 'Ali of Shiraz ( ) · 1416 –1526

present-day Afghanistan, Herat 1441–1501 Herat