Persian calligraphy framed by an ornamental border of flowers, birds, and deer, from the Late Shah Jahan Albumcalligraphy: c. 1500–1540; border: c. 1630–40 · Study 1977.207

Context from the museum

About 100 years after the calligraphy was completed by a Persian master and embellished with gold and floral arabesques, the small page was mounted into an album for the Mughal emperor of India. Mughal artists filled the outer border with floral vines, blooming and budding with many varieties. Pairs of birds perch throughout; male and female deer relax, listening to the birdsong. The Indian artists chose to emphasize nature’s abundance and life-giving forces, whereas the Persian artists sought to achieve exquisite, gemlike refinement. The central poem, by Ibn-i Yamin (Persian, 1286–1368), encourages the reader not to worry about unexpected calamities.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

On the right, two white-throated kingfishers, a species native to Asia, sit on thin vines.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Persian calligraphy framed by an ornamental border of flowers, birds, and deer, from the Late Shah Jahan Album is 25.2 cm wide and 36.8 cm high, equivalent to approximately 9.9 × 14.5 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.68:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.09 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 8.4% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 137.4 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Persian calligraphy framed by an ornamental border of flowers, birds, and deer, from the Late Shah Jahan Album in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera, gold, and ink on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 25.2 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?