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A scene of the life of Alexander from the Sharaf-nameh

1500s
(1501-1722)
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Gift of Lori H. Luciano in memory of her parents, Nicholas H. and Rhea A. Luciano 2021.237
Location: not on view
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This scene is from the Sharaf-nameh, the poetical version of the life of Alexander by the 12th-century Persian poet Niẓāmī Ganjavī.

Description

This rare scene from the life of Alexander depicts a poor and pious woman falling into a desperate situation and giving birth to a son in some desolate place. Philip, the Macedonian ruler, is on a hunt and passes the ruin. Seeing the deceased woman with a hungry baby by her side, the King orders his followers to tend to the burial of the woman and brings up the orphan making him his crown prince.
A scene of the life of Alexander from the Sharaf-nameh

A scene of the life of Alexander from the Sharaf-nameh

1500s

Iran, probably Shiraz, Safavid period (1501-1722)

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