--- title: Persian Miniature Tile-Painting of a Garden Scene author: Nathalie Choubineh source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17857/persian-miniature-tile-painting-of-a-garden-scene/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2023-08-31 --- # Persian Miniature Tile-Painting of a Garden Scene _Authored by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/)_ ## Image File [![Persian Miniature Tile-Painting of a Garden Scene](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17857.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17857.jpg) ## Image Caption [Persian miniature painting](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1811/persian-miniature-painting/) on a tile, earthenware under coloured glazes, probably from Isfahan, 17th century CE. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The so-called 'garden scenes' are among the most typical settings in the Persian literary tradition of romantic fables. The popular format features a young prince (sometimes bearing a historical identity) falling in love with a fine maiden (occasionally also of a royal descendant but often from an inferior background) in a glance at her picture or by simply hearing about her unique and mesmerising beauty. Since she is often difficult to reach, secluded or under a spell in an unknown, remote land, the story continues with the challenges faced and overcome by the prince to find her. The garden scene depicted here shows, most likely, the happy ending of the lovers' final reunion. The prince is courting the princess on his knees, offering her a piece of [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/) or another [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/)-thread fabric (*zari*) that was common as a bridal gift but not without erotic connotations. His companions, distinguished by their royal blue outfits like his, support his cause through reciting love poems (the young man sitting behind him with wine-drinking vessels as integral parts of the Persian poetry) and bringing fruits and rose-water perfume. The princess and her maid, both in yellow, carry wine jars suggestive of their already ecstatic minds. The surrounding hills and mountains in the background represent the long and difficult route the young lover must have travelled through, whilst pine-, willow- and platanus trees present their integration into the Iranian botanical as well as artistic landscapes. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Tile Panel | | V&A Explore The Collections](https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O93167/tile-panel/ "Tile Panel | | V&A Explore The Collections"), accessed 31 Aug 2023. ## About the Author Nathalie is a translator and independent researcher of dance in the ancient world with a focus on Ancient Greece and the Near East. She has published works in ancient dance, ethnomusicology, and literature. She loves learning and sharing knowledge. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.choubineh/) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-choubineh-035a8451/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Choubineh, N. (2023, August 31). Persian Miniature Tile-Painting of a Garden Scene. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Choubineh, Nathalie. "Persian Miniature Tile-Painting of a Garden Scene." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 31, 2023. . ### MLA Choubineh, Nathalie. "Persian Miniature Tile-Painting of a Garden Scene." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Aug 2023, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 31 August 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.