Artwork

An Illuminated Folio from the Royal Manuscript of the Farhang-i Jahangiri (verso)

An Illuminated Folio from the Royal Manuscript of the Farhang-i Jahangiri (verso) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1607 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The illuminated page belongs to the royal manuscript of the Farhang-i Jahangiri, a Persian lexical work.

About this work

Overview

The illuminated page belongs to the royal manuscript of the Farhang-i Jahangiri, a Persian lexical work. Rendered on the verso side, the folio combines black calligraphic text with a decorative frame of red and gold, set against a light beige ground. The careful arrangement of script and ornament suggests a purpose beyond mere transcription, emphasizing the manuscript’s prestige.

Subject & Meaning

The black lettering presents a passage of the Farhang-i Jahangiri, a comprehensive dictionary compiled under the Safavid court. By embedding the text within an ornate border, the manuscript signals the cultural value of language and scholarship, treating the lexical entry as a visual object worthy of reverence.

Technique & Style

The page demonstrates classic Persian illumination techniques. A flowing Nastaʿlīq script runs across a muted parchment, while a vivid vermilion border encloses the text. Gold leaf outlines delicate floral motifs and swirling arabesques, catching ambient light and creating a tactile contrast with the matte background.

History & Provenance

Produced for a royal patron, the folio reflects the Safavid era’s investment in literary production. Though its exact origin within the court remains undocumented, the manuscript’s survival and later acquisition by the Cleveland Museum of Art attest to its continued appreciation as a cultural artifact.

Artist & collection

Museum

Cleveland Museum of Art

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