A scene from a late-16th century publication of
Nezami Ganjavi's adaptation of the classical
Persian story
Layla and Majnun, which is based on the real story of Qays ibn al-Mulawwah, a young man from the northern
Arabian Peninsula and his love Layla. There are two versions of the story, but in both, Majnun goes mad when her father prevents him from marrying her. In the depicted scene, the eponymous
star-crossed lovers meet for the last time before their deaths. Both have fainted and Majnun's elderly messenger attempts to revive Layla while wild animals protect the pair from unwelcome intruders.
Artist: Unknown; Restoration: Lise Broer