Tuhfat al-Ahrar (The Gift to the Noble)

Maulana Nur al-Din `Abd al-Rahman Jami

1485–90 · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

It is extraordinary that such precision could be achieved in a leaf and palmette scroll so bursting with energy and movement. Deliberately contrasting are the islands of calm formed by the cartouches with their central palmettes and restrained flower-head scroll. The color combinations, including the gold-frecked light brown of the calligraphy page, are strikingly accomplished.

Artist

Maulana Nur al-Din `Abd al-Rahman Jami

Date

1485–90

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1946