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Khusraw Discovers Shirin Bathing, From Pictorial Cycle of Eight Poetic Subjects

Arts of the Islamic World

On View: Asian Galleries, Southwest Lobby, 2nd floor
This image captures the culminating moment in the passionate love affair between Iran’s legendary King Khusraw II (Sasanian dynasty, r. 590–628) and Shirin, an Armenian princess. After days of longing, Khusraw coincidentally encounters Shirin for the first time as she bathes in a pond. Entranced by each other’s beauty, the lovers remain speechless. Although rooted in oral tradition, the tale of Khusraw and Shirin found its greatest expression as one of the five narrative poems of the Khamsa (Quintet), composed by the celebrated Nizami of Ganja (1141–1209), one of Iran’s greatest masters of romantic poetry.
MEDIUM Oil on canvas
  • Place Made: Shiraz, Iran
  • DATES mid 18th century
    DYNASTY Zand
    PERIOD Zand
    DIMENSIONS 36 x 35 in. (91.4 x 88.9 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1997.108.7
    CREDIT LINE Bequest of Irma B. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, Charles K. Wilkinson
    PROVENANCE Prior to 1929, provenance not yet documented; before circa 1929, acquired by Ernst Emil Herzfeld of Tehran; before 1948, purchased from Ernst Emil Herzfeld by Charles K. Wilkinson of New York, NY; 1986, gift of Charles K. Wilkinson to Irma Bezold Wilkinson (Mrs. Charles K. Wilkinson) by inheritence; October 16, 1997, bequest of Irma Bezold Wilkinson to Brooklyn Museum.
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    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, Southwest Lobby, 2nd floor
    CAPTION Khusraw Discovers Shirin Bathing, From Pictorial Cycle of Eight Poetic Subjects, mid 18th century. Oil on canvas, 36 x 35 in. (91.4 x 88.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Irma B. Wilkinson in memory of her husband, Charles K. Wilkinson, 1997.108.7 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1997.108.7_unframed_PS11.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, unframed, 1997.108.7_unframed_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022
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