| November 12, 2003 |
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Smithsonian Institution: Love & Yearning
The  long and storied history of Persia is brought to life with an engaging exhibit featuring plaintive poetry and lush paintings that depict the longing and lust of the Persian night. A fine example is the Haft awrang, or Seven Thrones epic, which was composed by prolific wordsmith and Sufi mystic Abdul-Rahman Jami around the same time Columbus discovered the New World. The seven poems found on this Flash exhibit include the star-crossed romance of Prince Salaman and his nurse-maid Absal and moral parables such as "The Wise Old Man Chides a Foolish Youth." The superb zoom feature allows you to closely examine the meticulous calligraphy and detail work found on distinctive turbans and woodland settings. From burning trees to grief-stricken lovers and even the angel Gabriel, you can see the wonderfully illuminated characters found in the artistic tradition of Persia. This is one page-turner you don't want to pass up. (in History) |
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