Modernising Miniature Art

This series takes inspiration from a set of miniature paintings based on the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami, a series of 5 poems presented to King Akbar in the late 16th century.

The Khamsa was said to be a popular subject for lavish manuscripts illustrated with painted miniatures at the Persian and Mughal courts in later centuries.

This collection explores methods of modernising miniatures, with the hope of reviving the ancient romantic tales of Nizami Ganjavi, the most famous of which is Layla and Majnun.

Art inspired by Iskandar, in the likeness of Husayn Bayqara, with the seven sages.

  • Mixed Media Canvas featuring gold foiling, acrylic paints and marker

  • 4x6 inches

  • 1/5

Art inspired by an illustrated manuscript of Majnun at the Ka'aba

  • Mixed Media Canvas featuring gold foiling, acrylic paints and marker

  • 4x6 inches

  • 1/5

Art inspired by ‘Alexander at a Banquet', Folio, dated A.H. 931/A.D. 1524–25

  • Mixed Media Canvas featuring gold foiling, acrylic paints and marker

  • 4x6 inches

  • 1/5

Detail of the added miniature by Daulat (left) painting the calligrapher of the manuscript, Abd al-Rahim

  • Mixed Media Canvas featuring gold foiling, acrylic paints and marker

  • 4x6 inches

  • 1/5

The 5th and final miniature represents the artist himself, in the likeness of a Sufi mystic

  • Mixed Media Canvas featuring gold foiling, acrylic paints and marker

  • 4x6 inches

  • 1/5

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Experimenting Lines and Planes