Shirin Visiting Farhad

An illustration from the story of Khusrau and Shirin in one of the books in the famous 'Arintitt, called Kahmsa', by Mizami. Farhad was a stone cutter who fell in love iwth Queen Shirin. The jealous King promised him Shirin if he could master the superhuman task of cutting a road through the mountain of Bisutuw. Farhad set out for his task, first carving the stone portrait of Shirin, so that he might behold her while he worked (which still exists in Persia). In this miniature can be seen Shirin on horseback. Farhad who has just recovered from a fainting spell after having seen her, kneels in front of her, on left side of engraved picture.