The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2023

A scene of the life of Alexander from the Sharaf-nameh

1500s

Iran, probably Shiraz, Safavid period

(1501-1722)

Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper

Gift of Lori H. Luciano in memory of her parents, Nicholas H. and Rhea A. Luciano 2021.237

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

This scene is from the <em>Sharaf-nameh</em>, the poetical version of the life of Alexander by the 12th-century Persian poet Niẓāmī Ganjavī.

Description

This rare scene from the life of Alexander depicts a poor and pious woman falling into a desperate situation and giving birth to a son in some desolate place. Philip, the Macedonian ruler, is on a hunt and passes the ruin. Seeing the deceased woman with a hungry baby by her side, the King orders his followers to tend to the burial of the woman and brings up the orphan making him his crown prince.

Provenance
Rhea A. [1924–2015] and Nicholas H. Luciano Sr. [1925–2008], purchased in Istanbul, Turkey. Given by bequest to their daughter Lori H. Luciano
?–2021
Lori H. Luciano, Cleveland Heights, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
2021–
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2021.237