Page of Calligraphy from an Anthology of Poetry by Sa`di and Hafiz

Art Historical Context

This exquisite page of calligraphy hails from a late 15th-century anthology of poetry by two Persian literary giants, Sa'di and Hafiz, masterfully penned by the renowned calligrapher Sultan ' al-Mashhadi. Created during the Timurid era in Persia (modern-day Iran), when Herat was a vibrant center of Islamic arts, it exemplifies the pinnacle of manuscript production. Sa'di (d. 1291) and Hafiz (d. 1390) were beloved poets whose verses on love, mysticism, and human folly resonated deeply in Sufi and courtly circles, making such anthologies prized treasures for scholars and nobles. The medium—ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper—highlights the opulence of Persian codices. Sultan 'Ali's fluid nasta'liq script, a cursive style perfected in the 15th century, dances elegantly across the page, enhanced by intricate illuminations of birds and flowers in the margins. These motifs symbolize paradise and spiritual harmony, common in Islamic art where figurative decoration complemented sacred texts without idolatry. Measuring 11 7/8 x 7 5/8 inches, this leaf from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection (acquired via the Frederick C. Hewitt Fund in 1911) invites visitors to appreciate how calligraphy elevated poetry into visual poetry, blending word and image in cultural reverence.