"The Beggar who Professed his Love for a Prince", Folio 28r from a Mantiq al-Tayr (Language of the Birds) 1462 - 1512

This painting, "The Beggar who Professed his Love for a Prince," is from a manuscript of Farid al-Din `Attar’s "Language of the Birds". The architecture and figures are arranged within a strict, orthogonal grid, flattening the composition. Notice how the palette is subdued, with ochre and muted blues, greens, and oranges dominating. The artist's formal placement of figures does more than simply illustrate the story, it invites us to consider the interplay between structure and narrative. How does the formal arrangement underscore themes of hierarchy and order within the story? The formal qualities of the painting challenge us to think about how order is imposed and perceived. Consider the architecture, with its precise geometry and symmetrical design, it serves not just as a backdrop but as a framework that mirrors the structured social order depicted. The architecture and its forms act as signs of wealth and power, contrasting with the beggar's form.