"Entertainment in a Garden", Folio from a Khamsa of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Matla' al-Anvar

Amir Khusrau Dihlavi

second half 16th century · Opaque watercolor and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Rulers sometimes held semi-public bazms (feasts) involving large numbers of guests. Here the ruler is seated on a hexagonal platform atop a tree and accompanied by attendants. This whimsical portrayal of an outdoor bazm includes charming details such as children swinging on tree branches and servants climbing a ladder to serve the ruler food and wine. Below, dancers and musicians playing the kamancha (Persian fiddle), daf (frame drum), and barbat (Persian oud or lute) entertain the guests gathered around them.

Artist

Amir Khusrau Dihlavi

Date

second half 16th century

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956