Khusrau and Shirin 1473 - 1524

Hatifi illuminated this page with opaque watercolor, ink, and gold in the 15th or 16th century. The scene depicts the Persian legend of Khusrau and Shirin, dominated by the motif of the 'stone cutter' figure, his arms raised in supplication or offering. This gesture, echoing across millennia, reminds me of the 'orant' pose found in early Christian art, figures with outstretched arms, beseeching the divine. Here, it speaks to a more earthly desire. The stone cutter begs for Shirin's attention, a poignant echo of humanity's eternal quest for recognition. This motif resurfaces in diverse settings, from religious icons to secular pleas, bearing witness to the subconscious undercurrents driving human expression. The raw emotion conveyed by the stone cutter's posture—a blend of hope and desperation—engages the viewer on a deeply subconscious level. It reminds us that these cultural symbols are not static relics but rather living entities.