"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja 1500 - 1550

This illustration, "Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin," is a folio from a larger illuminated manuscript of the *Khamsa* (*Quintet*) by the Persian poet Nizami of Ganja, dating from around 1500–1550. The scene depicts Farhad, a powerful man with a flowing beard, carving a channel through the mountain to bring water to his beloved, Shirin, who sits upon a horse atop the rock. It serves as a visual representation of the story of Farhad and Shirin, a popular love story from Persian literature. The delicate lines and vibrant colors typical of the Safavid period, combined with the poetic inscription, create a vivid scene that captures the essence of this enduring tale.