Sultan Mahmud ibn Muhammad ibn Malik-Shah Enthroned 1425 - 1430

This is a page from a manuscript made by Ḥāfiẓ-i Abrū around 1430. The composition immediately draws us in, with Sultan Mahmud ibn Muhammad ibn Malik-Shah at its center, enthroned and surrounded by his attendants. The artist employs a vivid palette, contrasting the Sultan's yellow robe with the deep blues and reds of the courtiers' garments, creating a visual hierarchy. The figures are rendered with meticulous detail, yet flattened against a pale backdrop. The artist's attention to line and pattern lends a decorative quality, typical of Persian miniature painting. We can also consider this piece through the lens of semiotics, where each element – the throne, the clothing, the gestures – functions as a sign. The image can be interpreted as a carefully constructed representation of power and status, reinforcing the Sultan’s authority through visual symbols. Consider how the linear quality of the Persian calligraphy above and below the image contrasts with the pictorial space. This reminds us that the image is not just an artwork but is also a textual object embedded within a broader cultural and intellectual tradition.