All the images are from the Rijksmuseum’s collection, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The photos were taken by the author in 2021 and they are published under copyright permission of the Rijksmuseum.
0.1 Peter Formijne and his wife. From the archive of Ms. Doortje Haan-Wiegman 3
0.2 A folio from the notebook of Peter Formijne on his collection, preserved in the RM (RP-D-1993-26) 5
0.3 A folio from the notebook of Peter Formijne on his collection, preserved in the RM (RP-D-1993-26) 6
1A Cacalia, one page of Khawass al-ashjar, dated to the 13th century, ʿAbbasid period, Baghdad School, attributed to Iraq. Opaque watercolour, and ink on paper, 29.5 × 20.2 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-434 27
1B Viola Odorata, one page of Khawass al-ashjar, dated to the 13th century, attributed to Iraq. Opaque watercolour, and ink on paper, 29.5 × 20.2 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-135 28
2 Harish, one page of Manafiʿ al-hayawan, dated to the early 14th century, Ilkhanid dynasty, made in Persia. Ink, watercolour and gold pigment on paper, 17.5 × 17.5 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-435 30
3A Horoscope of Shah Ardeshir, one page of Kitab-i Hakim Jamasp, dated the early 14th century, Injuid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, watercolour, and gold pigment on paper, 12 × 15.5 cm (sheet), 5 × 4.4 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-436 33
3B Horoscope of Hud, one page of Kitab-i Hakim Jamasp, dated the early 14th century, Injuid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, watercolour, and gold pigment on paper, 12 × 15.3 cm (sheet), 4.49 × 4.5 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-437 33
4 Isfandiyar’s fifth labour: he kills the Simurgh, one page of Shahnama, dated 1341, Injuid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 10.3 × 22.7 cm (sheet/painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-439 36
5 Mihr Hurmuzd murders Khusrau Parviz, one page of Shahnama, dated the early 14th century, Ilkhanid dynasty, made in Persia. Ink, opaque watercolour, gold on paper, 30.5 × 21.7 cm (sheet), 11.6 × 9.1 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-438 38
6 The second combat: Giv stuns Guruy Zirih, one page of Shahnama, dated 1430s–1440s, Timurid dynasty, Shiraz School. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 31.6 × 22.6 cm (sheet), 14 × 16 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-442 40
7 Minuchihr defeats the army of Salm and Tur, one page of Shahnama, dated the first half of 15th century, Turkmen period, Shiraz School. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 31.7 × 23.2 cm (sheet), 15.7 × 8 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-441 42
8 Khusrau receives Gul’s letter, one page of Khusraunama, dated 1430s–1440s, Timurid dynasty, Shiraz School. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 27.9 × 18 cm (sheet), 12 × 13.7 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-205 44
9 Rustam kills Shaghad before dying, one page of Shahnama, dated 15th century, Timurid dynasty, Shiraz School. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 33.5 × 22.5 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1956-274 47
10 Shiruya sends a message to Khusrau, one page of Shahnama, dated 1430s–1450s, Timurid dynasty, Shiraz School. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 30.9 × 20.7 cm (sheet), 8.4 × 13.9 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-440 49
11 Rustam’s seventh labour: he kills the White Div, one page of Shahnama, dated 1440s–1460s, Timurid dynasty, Shiraz School. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 29 × 18.5 cm (sheet), 11.5 × 11 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-451 51
12 A convivial gathering in the garden, one page of Divan of Shahi, dated 1470s–1490s, Timurid dynasty, probably made in Khurasan. Ink, 21.2 × 15.2 cm (sheet), 5.6 × 7 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-456 53
13 Meeting the intimate in the garden, one page of Fatihat al-shabab, Divan of Jami, dated c.1480, Turkmen period, made in Shiraz. Opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper, 25.6 × 16.4 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-444 55
14A Khusrau at the castle of Shirin, one page of Khamsa of Nizami, dated to the late 15th century, Turkmen period, made in Shiraz. Ink, colour, and gold on paper, 25.9 × 15.8 (sheet), 10.9 × 9.7 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-445 57
14B Layla and Majnun swoon on meeting each other, one page of Khamsa of Nizami, dated to the late 15th century, Turkmen period, made in Shiraz. Ink, colour, and gold on paper, 27.2 × 16.3 cm (sheet), 12.1 × 9.9 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-446 57
15A Manjun in desert, a detached folio, dated c.1490s, Timurid dynasty, attributed to Persia. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 15.8 × 8.5 (sheet/painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1250 60
15B Manjun in Layla’s tent, a detached folio, dated c.1490s, Timurid dynasty, attributed to Persia. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 15.8 × 8.5 cm (sheet/painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1251 60
16 Muhammad converses with God in Heaven, one page of Mirajnama, Safavid period. Ink and colors on paper, 35.5 × 23.4 cm (sheet), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1545 62
17A Execution of Mushtari and Badr, one page of Mihr u Mushtari, dated 1530s–1540s, Safavid dynasty. Ink, watercolour and gold pigment on paper, 14 × 10.2 cm, Inv. no. RP-T-1993-449 64
17B The battle of Mushtari with cannibals, one page of Mihr u Mushtari, dated 1530s–1540s, Safavid dynasty. Ink, watercolour and gold pigment on paper, 20 × 16 (sheet/big panel), 12.9 × 10.2 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-450 64
17C The feast of Shah Kayvan and Mihr, one page of Mihr u Mushtari, dated 1530s–1540s, Safavid dynasty. Ink, watercolour and gold pigment on paper, 14 × 10.3 cm (sheet), (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-448 65
18 Mahan and the old gardener, one page of Khamsa of Nizami, dated the first half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty. Ink, watercolour and gold pigment on paper, 26.4 × 15.5 cm (sheet), 13.5 × 9.4 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-447 68
19 Khusrau and Shirin in hunting ground, one page of Khamsa of Nizami, dated to the first half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty, made probably in Tabriz. Ink, 35.2 × 23 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-457 70
20A Rustam’s first labour: Rakhsh kills a lion, one page of Shahnama, dated 1590s–1600s, Safavid dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 34.5 × 23.5 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-454 72
20B Detail, stamp 72
21 Kay Khusrau grants an audience to Rustam and Zal, one page of Shahnama, dated 1560s–1570s, Safavid dynasty, probably made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 43.7 × 28.9 (sheet), 33.6 × 22.7 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1956-275 74
22 Solomon and Ajennaʾ, one page of ʿAjaʾib al-makhluqat, dated second half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, colours and gold on paper, 21.1 × 13.1 cm (sheet), 17.6 × 10.2 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-455 76
23A A princess and her maid, a tumbled man and a seated woman, one page of Divan of Hafiz, dated second half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 12.5 × 21.6 (sheet), 8.4 × 15 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-403 78
23B A convivial company, one page of Divan of Hafiz, dated second half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 21.4 × 12.6 (sheet), 8.1 × 11.3 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-404 78
23C Triumph of Shah Mansur, one page of Divan of Hafiz, dated second half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 21.2 × 12.5 cm (sheet), 9.5 × 7.3 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-405 79
23D The King and the beggar, one page of Divan of Hafiz, dated second half of the 16th century, Safavid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 21.5 × 12.5 (sheet), 8.1 × 7.6 (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-406 79
24 Seduction of Yusuf by Zulaikha, one page of Haft Awrang, dated 16th and 17th century, Safavid dynasty, made in Shiraz. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 25.3 × 17.6 cm (sheet), 19 × 8.8 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-461 83
25A Pastoral scene, one page of Rawzat al-shuhada, dated 16th century, Safavid dynasty. Opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper, 25.2 × 14 cm (sheet), 16.5 × 9 (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-459 85
25B Abraham sacrifices his son, one page of Rawzat al-shuhada, dated 16th century, Safavid dynasty. Opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper, 25.3 × 15 cm (sheet), (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-460 85
25C Yusuf and his brothers, one page of Rawzat al-shuhada, dated 16th century, Safavid dynasty. Opaque watercolour, ink and gold on paper, 25.2 × 15 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-458 86
26 A Man in a Red Robe, one page of Divan of Hafiz, dated 1540s–1570s, Safavid dynasty, made in Qazvin or Mashhad. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 16 × 9.5 cm (sheet), 8 × 14.6 cm (painting), 14.5 × 8.1 cm (panel of two calligraphy frames), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-462-(R),(V) 90
27 Isfandiyar’s fifth labour: he kills the Simurgh, one page of Shahnama, attributable to Muʿin Musavvir, dated 1640s–1660s, Safavid dynasty, Isfahan school. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 29.78 × 18.5 cm (sheet), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-393 93
28 A youth and two dervishes, a detached folio, dated to the first half of the 17th century, Safavid dynasty, Isfahan school. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 16 × 8.5 cm (sheet/painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1252 95
29 A sitting man, detached folio, dated to the second half of the 16th century, Shaybanid dynasty, Bukhara School. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 31 × 19.3 cm (sheet), 16.3 × 8.6 cm (painting), 19.3 × 11.7 cm (text panel), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-463 (R), (V) 97
30 A lion attacking a man, a detached folio, dated the 16th century, Safavid dynasty. Ink and pencil on paper, 16 × 10cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1963-383 99
31A A youth and a dervish, a detached folio, dated c.1590–1620/21, Safavid dynasty, probably made in Isfahan. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 35.7 × 21.9 cm (sheet), 11.7 × 17.6 cm (painting), Inv. no. NG-2021-85 101
31B Detail, Persian note and two stamps in the verso 102
32 A Youth holding a cup, a folio of a Dutch album, dated to the first half of the 17th century, retouched during 1660–1680, Safavid dynasty, retouched by Gesina ter Borch (1631–1690), c.1660–1680. Opaque watercolour, gold and silver on paper, 32 × 21.5 cm (sheet), 19.6 × 12.2 cm (painting), Inv. no. BI-1887-1463-40 106
33 Standing woman, with flowers and a bowl, a detached folio, by Aqa Muhammad Baqir, dated second half of the 18th century, Zand dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 21.5 × 32 cm (sheet), 17 × 10 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1259 109
34A The view of Hizar Jarib garden in Isfahan, a detached folio, dated the 19th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 33.2 × 22 cm (sheet/painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1895-A-3069 111
34B Detail, inscription in the verso 111
34C Khalwat Khana of Shah Safi in Qazvin, a detached folio, dated the 19th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 34 × 22 cm (sheet/painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1895-A-3070 112
34D, E Detail, inscription in the verso 112
35 A dervish holding a vase, a detached folio, dated the second half of the 19th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, watercolour, gold on paper, 31.4 × 21.3 cm (sheet), 10.4 × 16.9 (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-402 118
36 Two Young Men in an Erotic Embrace, a detached folio, dated the last third of the 19th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 18 × 11.5 cm (sheet), 15.4 × 10.2 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1544 120
37A Shapur shows the portrait of Khusrau to Shirin, a folio of Khamsa of Nizami, probably the early 20th century, made in Persia. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 18.7 × 11.7 cm (sheet), 13.1 × 8 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1254 124
37B Khusrau watches Shirin bathing, a folio of Khamsa of Nizami, probably the early 20th century, made in Persia, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 18.7 × 13.4 cm (sheet), 13 × 8.6 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1253 125
37C The story telling of ten maids, a folio of Khamsa of Nizami, probably the early 20th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 12.98 × 18.6 cm (sheet), 13 × 8.5 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1257 126
37D The feast of Shirin and Khusrau, a folio of Khamsa of Nizami, probably the early 20th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 18.6 × 13.1 cm (sheet), 12.99 × 8.5 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1255 127
37E Farhad carries Shirin on her horse, a folio of Khamsa of Nizami, probably the early 20th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 18.4 × 13.5 cm (sheet), 12.8 × 8.4 cm (painting), Inv. no. AK-MAK-1256 129
38 Hunting scene, a detached folio, dated late 19th or early 20th century, Qajar dynasty. Ink, gouache on paper, 23 × 14.98 (painting with frames), uncatalogued miniature 130
39A Gulzar calligraphy piece with the waq motifs, a detached folio, dated the late 18th and 19th centuries, Qajar dynasty. Ink on paper, 18.5 × 12.2 (sheet), uncatalogued work 132
39B Gulzar calligraphy piece, a detached folio, dated probably Qajar period. Opaque watercolour on paper, 30 × 21.6 cm (text panel), uncatalogued work 133
40 Majnun watches the battle between clans, a detached folio, dated 16th century, attributed to India. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 20.2 × 12.9 cm (sheet), 10.1 × 10.8 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-443 135
41A Rustam catches Rakhsh, one page of Shahnama, dated late 15th or the early 16th century, attributed to India. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 21.1 × 12.3 cm (sheet), 11 × 11.1 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-452 137
41B Rustam saved by Rakhsh, one page of Shahnama, dated late 15th or the early 16th century, attributed to India. Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, 21.1 × 12.3 cm (sheet), 8.2 × 11.1 (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-453 137
42 Sixth feat of Isfandiyar; escaping from snow storm, one page of Tarikh-i Dilgusha-yi Shamshirkhani, dated 18th century, attributed to India, Deccan. Ink and opaque watercolour on paper, 20 × 9.8 cm (sheet), 16.6 × 9.6 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-219 140
43 Portrait of Shah ʿAbbas I, a detached folio, dated c.1613–1630, attributed to India, Mughal dynasty. Ink, opaque watercolour, and gold on paper, 25.4 × 13.3 cm (sheet), 17.1 × 6.5 cm (painting), Inv. no. RP-T-1993-181 142