Khusrau and Shirin Serenading One Another ,Folio from a manuscript of Khamseh (Quintet)

Author: Nizami

ca. 1560

Opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper

Aga Khan Museum

This painting from a manuscript of Nizami's Khamseh depicts musicians Barbad and Nakisa, and King Khusrau Parviz in tents, with Shirin discreetly passing a love story to Nakisa. This painting portrays Barbad and Nakisa, two historical musicians from the court of the Sasanian king, Khusrau Parviz (r. 591–628). The folio is from a manuscript of Khamseh (Quintet), written by the celebrated Persian poet Nizami . Hiding in the blue tent on the left, Shirin – Khosrau Parviz’s great love—discretely passes the story of their love to Nakisa, who proceeds to sing about it while playing the harp. Barbad —playing an ‘oud on the bottom right corner of the page—was a talented and high-rank poet-musician. He was a favourite of Khusrau Parviz , also portrayed here sitting in his white tent. It is said that Barb