Layli and Majnun are Reunited in a Palm Grove
Layli and Majnun are Reunited in a Palm Grove
Fol. 170v from a manuscript of the Khamseh of Nizami
Iran, Shiraz, 1527
Opaque watercolour, gold, and ink on paper
AKM270
The third poem from the Khamseh of Nizami recounts the tale of two doomed lovers, Layli and Majnun, who fall in love as children but are forced to separate by their families. The young man flees to the desert, where he composes ecstatic love songs to his beloved Layli. Though forced to marry a rich merchant, Layli remains steadfastly devoted to Majnun. One evening, an intermediary reunites the couple in a beautiful palm grove. Weakened by love-sickness, they cannot express their love physically, so instead they serenade each other from a distance. The resplendence of the grove in this illustration reflects the desires of the lovers’ hearts. Upon their parting, Layli gradually wastes away and perishes. Majnun visits her grave and collapses in death.