Indian Antiquities

Nizami and Persian Lady, Artist Unknown, Fresco

Location: Ashok Mandap

Above the fireplace on both sides of this Hall, are two large paintings of Nizami, the great poet and a Persian Lady, executed in oil on canvas, standing in an almost identical posture representing Persian dignity.

Nizami Ganjavi whose formal name was Jamal ad-Dīn Abū Muḥammad Ilyās ibn-Yūsuf ibn-Zakkī, was a 12th-century Persian poet. He is a revered romantic epic poet in Persian literature who brought a colloquial style of writing to the Persian epics. Nizami lived in an age of political instability and intense intellectual activity. These find representation in his poetic works which are widely appreciated in Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan.

Dressed in a long choga with a pointed turban,Nizami is seen standing with his head turned towards the observer. An expression of serenity prevails through his bearded face. He is seen holding a stick painted in maroon. His left hand has a manuscript on which Persian calligraphy is seen. The Persian lady is represented standing amidst a minimalist landscape. Dressed in Persian attire, the crown on the head imbues a royal status to her persona. With both her hands folded, an ornate vessel is held in her right hand, while she looks away from the observer.