School Scene (Madrasa), from the Bustan of Sa'di — Bihzad, 1489
Illuminated manuscript page from the Bustan (Garden of Fragrance) of Sa'di Shirazi, illustrated by Kamal ud-Din Bihzad. National Library of Egypt, Cairo (Adab Farsi 908). Dated 1489 CE (893 AH) by colophon. Depicts a madrasa scene with teacher and students in an elaborate architectural interior. One of the canonical works of Persian miniature painting.
Scholarly Significance
Anchor the Timurid Herat school in the graph with Bihzad's most celebrated manuscript illustration — the school scene from the Bustan of Sa'di (1489), the canonical example of his naturalistic and psychologically innovative style.
Patronage Context
Produced in the royal atelier (kitabkhana) at Herat under Sultan Husayn Bayqara and his minister Alishir Navai. Bihzad was head of the kitabkhana at this time.