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The Most Famous Artworks of Persian Miniature

The 47 most celebrated works of the Persian Miniature movement, ranked by renown across 47 works in the catalog.

A note on the ranking: "fame" here is a measure of renown, not of merit — synthesised from how widely a work is cited and held. It leans toward the Western canon and the best-digitised collections. Read it as a popular index, not a verdict.

  1. The Lovers
    The Lovers Reza `Abbasi · 1630
  2. Rustam Takes Aim at Ashkabus, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings)
    Rustam Takes Aim at Ashkabus, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) Unknown · 1437
  3. Page from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al-Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492), with two Persian masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Subhat al-abrar (Rosary of the Righteous) (verso)
    Page from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al-Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492), with two Persian masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Subhat al-abrar (Rosary of the Righteous) (verso) Unknown · 1563
  4. Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso)
    Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso) Unknown · 1610
  5. Folio B: Folio from the "Five Treasures" (Panj Ganj) of Jami (recto)
    Folio B: Folio from the "Five Treasures" (Panj Ganj) of Jami (recto) Unknown · 1563
  6. The siege of Arbela in the era of Hulagu Khan, page from a Chingiz-nama (Book of Chingiz Khan) of the Jami al-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles) of Rashid al-Din (Persian,1247–1318)
    The siege of Arbela in the era of Hulagu Khan, page from a Chingiz-nama (Book of Chingiz Khan) of the Jami al-tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles) of Rashid al-Din (Persian,1247–1318) Unknown · 1598
  7. Text of Rustam and Suhrab, from the Shah-nama of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020) (verso)
    Text of Rustam and Suhrab, from the Shah-nama of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020) (verso) Unknown · 1610
  8. A marbled picture of Rustam catching Rakhsh
    A marbled picture of Rustam catching Rakhsh Unknown · 1650
  9. An East African King Receives Three Emissaries, from a Khamsa of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
    An East African King Receives Three Emissaries, from a Khamsa of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Unknown · 1450
  10. A dancing dervish and three musicians, from a Divan (Collected Poems) of Urfi (Persian, 1555–1591)
    A dancing dervish and three musicians, from a Divan (Collected Poems) of Urfi (Persian, 1555–1591) Unknown · 1637
  11. The third suitor, who is an archer, shoots the wicked fairy who has imprisoned Zuhra. He rides on a magic horse prepared by the second suitor and is led to the spot by the divining prowess of the first, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fo
    The third suitor, who is an archer, shoots the wicked fairy who has imprisoned Zuhra. He rides on a magic horse prepared by the second suitor and is led to the spot by the divining prowess of the first, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-fo Unknown · 1560
  12. Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020)
    Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) Unknown · 1610
  13. Zulaykha in her palace and as an elderly woman with Joseph (recto), from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al- Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492)
    Zulaykha in her palace and as an elderly woman with Joseph (recto), from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al- Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492) Mushfiq · 1605
  14. From the Farhang-i Jahangiri (Persian-language Dictionary) compiled by Mir Jamal al-Din Husayn Inju of Shiraz (Persian, d. 1626)
    From the Farhang-i Jahangiri (Persian-language Dictionary) compiled by Mir Jamal al-Din Husayn Inju of Shiraz (Persian, d. 1626) Unknown · 1607
  15. Illuminated page (verso), from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al- Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492) with two Persian masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Khirad-nama-i Iskandari (Alexander’s Book of Wisdom)
    Illuminated page (verso), from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al- Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492) with two Persian masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Khirad-nama-i Iskandari (Alexander’s Book of Wisdom) Unknown · 1605
  16. Isfandiyar slays Arjasp, the king of Turan, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020)
    Isfandiyar slays Arjasp, the king of Turan, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) Unknown · 1602
  17. Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020), (recto)
    Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020), (recto) Unknown · 1610
  18. Text of Rustam and Suhrab, from the Shah-nama of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020) (recto)
    Text of Rustam and Suhrab, from the Shah-nama of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020) (recto) Unknown · 1610
  19. The Witch Anqarut ties Malik Iraj to a tree
    The Witch Anqarut ties Malik Iraj to a tree Unknown · 1589
  20. Double Title Page of a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi
    Double Title Page of a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi Unknown · 1550
  21. Right-Hand Page from the Qur'an
    Right-Hand Page from the Qur'an Unknown · 1549
  22. Zal and Rudaba in a Palace, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi
    Zal and Rudaba in a Palace, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi Unknown · 1493
  23. Khusrau Gazing at Shirin, from a copy of the Khamsa of Nizami
    Khusrau Gazing at Shirin, from a copy of the Khamsa of Nizami Unknown · 1493
  24. Farhad Carrying Shirin and Her Horse, from a copy of the Khamsa of Nizami
    Farhad Carrying Shirin and Her Horse, from a copy of the Khamsa of Nizami Unknown · 1493
  25. Manuchehr Kills Tur, Manuscript from Shahnama
    Manuchehr Kills Tur, Manuscript from Shahnama Unknown · 1593
  26. Zal Climbing to Rudaba, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi
    Zal Climbing to Rudaba, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi Unknown · 1592
  27. The Wedding Night of Anushirvan and the Khaqan's Daughter (from a copy of Firdausi's Shahnama)
    The Wedding Night of Anushirvan and the Khaqan's Daughter (from a copy of Firdausi's Shahnama) Unknown · 1565
  28. The Constellation Leo, folio probably from the Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars)
    The Constellation Leo, folio probably from the Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) Unknown · 1500
  29. Royal Horse Inspection
    Royal Horse Inspection 'Aliquli Jabbadar · 1662
  30. The Lion Tamer
    The Lion Tamer Sadiqi Beg
  31. Rustam and the Simurgh
    Rustam and the Simurgh Unknown · 1620
  32. Lady with a Mirror
    Lady with a Mirror Reza `Abbasi · 1618
  33. Officer of the Guards
    Officer of the Guards Reza `Abbasi · 1622
  34. Rustam and the Simurgh
    Rustam and the Simurgh Unknown · 1620
  35. Fainted Laila and Majnun-Based on the Khamsa of Persian poet Nizami
    Fainted Laila and Majnun-Based on the Khamsa of Persian poet Nizami Unknown · 1740
  36. Calligraphy Painting
    Calligraphy Painting Isma'il Jalayir · 1860
  37. Convivial Party (1)
    Convivial Party (1) Reza `Abbasi · 1612
  38. Convivial Party (2)
    Convivial Party (2) Reza `Abbasi · 1612
  39. Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso)
    Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso) Unknown · 1610
  40. Scenă din epopeea Shah Name
    Scenă din epopeea Shah Name Unknown · 1650
  41. Untitled
    Untitled Reza `Abbasi
  42. 'Sa'di's tomb at Shiraz'
    'Sa'di's tomb at Shiraz' Unknown · 1530
  43. Untitled
    Untitled Reza `Abbasi
  44. Imam 'Ali
    Imam 'Ali Unknown · 1850
  45. Nuori ruhtinas seurueineen maisemassa, persialainen miniatyyri
    Nuori ruhtinas seurueineen maisemassa, persialainen miniatyyri tekijä ei tiedossa
  46. King Anushirwan and the Owls, from the Khamsa of Nizami
    King Anushirwan and the Owls, from the Khamsa of Nizami Unknown · 1535
  47. Farhad Carrying Shirin and Her Horse, from a copy of the Khamsa of Nizami
    Farhad Carrying Shirin and Her Horse, from a copy of the Khamsa of Nizami Unknown · 1485