Illustrated Leaf from Nizami's Layla wa Majnun: Majnun in the Wilderness, Copied by 'Abd al-Jabar, Isfahan, Persia, Dated A.H. 1017/A.D. 1608

The epic love story of Layla and Majnun is one of the most famous tragedies of classical Arabic literature, and is still widely read today. The tale became popular in Persia with the spread of Islam, and in the twelfth century a ruler in the Caucasus commissioned a romantic poem from Nizami centred around these two famous lovers.  

Layla and Qays met at school and fell hopelessly in love with one another.  For Qays the strain of keeping his love secret is too much to bear and he takes to crying her name through the town, earning him the moniker majnun.  In time Majnun is forced to flee to the desert to escape Layla's father's anger at his perceived insult to her tribe and honour.  Majnun lives a reclusive life amongst the animals in the wilderness, this is the scene here depicted.  The artist shows sensitivity to the eponymous hero's situation by rendering a poignantly gaunt, straggly haired figure in a rocky wilderness.

This miniature is from the same manuscript as that sold in these rooms 12 October 2005, lot 30.