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Two Illustrations from a Manuscript of Gulistan by Sadi
(Manuscripts and Rare Books, Islamic World , Islamic Manuscripts, India, Nepal, and Tibet)
These 2 illustrations from Walters W.668 have been removed from a Mughal manuscript of Gulistan by Sa'di (ca. 1018 AH/AD 1610). Both are from the opening chapter, entitled The conduct of kings. The lower register depicts a king who had given a large sum of money to a beggar, who squandered it and then returned for more. At first, the king refused the beggar additional money, but his minister advised him to allot the poor man an allowance in installments so that he would not squander it. This anecdote is meant to illustrate that one should not render someone hopeful by an act of unbounded kindness and then dash his or her hopes. The upper register depicts a prince visiting holy men in the wilderness.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
'Abduh Khudadad, 1189 AH/AD 1775 [mode of acquisition unknown] [seal impression: 'Abduh Khudadad, 1189 AH/AD 1775 on fol. 58a]; Farhad, 1234 AH/AD 1800 [mode of acquisition unknown] [seal impression: Farhad, 1234 AH/AD 1800 on a number of folios];
Muhammad al-Hasani [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [seal impression: Muhammad al-Hasani on fol. 28a]; Fath 'Ali [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [seal impression: Fath 'Ali on fol. 82b]; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2010 | Poetry and Prayer: Islamic Manuscripts from the Walters Art Museum. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 1988-1989 | The Royal Style. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1978-1979 | The Grand Mogul: Imperial Painting in India, 1600-1900. The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown; The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston; Asia House Gallery, New York. |
Geographies
Iran
(Place of Origin)
India (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 11 5/8 x W: 7 1/2 in. (29.5 x 19 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
W.668.49A
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Parent Object
