Barbara Brend: Treasures of Herat – Two manuscripts of the Khamseh of Nizami in the British Library

This event will be to celebrate the publication of this lavishly illustrated book by Barbara Brend, independent scholar of Persian art.

The Khamseh is a set of five poems by the 12^th century poet Nizami. They recount the story of the love of the Sasanian king Khusrow for Shirin, a queen of Armenia; the ill-fated love of Leila and Majnun; the storied told by seven princesses to Bahram Gur; and the story of Alexander the Great. Both illuminated manuscripts were made in Herat in the 15^th century and one of them contains paintings by the incomparable Behzad. Barbara Brend will give an account both of the poems and of the miniatures.  A reception will precede her talk.

This event is open to members of the Iran Society and their guests, who need to register beforehand.