Explore the recent acquisition of a rich and unusual collection of Indian paintings and manuscript pages.
In versions by the Persian poets Nizami and Amir Khusrau of Delhi, the old Arab tale of the separated lovers Layla and Majnun became a favourite subject of Mughal period painting. The young lovers first meet as children. Later, when prevented from seeing Layla by her family, the distracted Majnun (‘Mad’, ‘Possessed by jinn’) becomes a solitary wanderer in the wilderness. Chanting poems of love for Layla, he keeps company with the wild animals, holding court among them like a human king. In this later scene from the story, the now-married Layla pays a visit to Majnun in the wilderness. She holds a volume, perhaps of his verses, and her riding-camel rests nearby. The emaciated Majnun receives her courteously, resting against a gruff-looking lion as his throne cushion.
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Objects from past exhibitions may have now returned to our stores or a lender. Click into an individual object record to confirm whether or not an object is currently on display. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis, so please contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular Eastern Art object.
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