Persian painting - Khawaja Khizir with Ilyas discovering the Fountain of Life Polychrome pigments and gold on paper, mounted on an album page Iran, Khorasan, circa 1600, Safavid period Page view: Height: 28.8 ; Width: 16.4 cm This painting represents Khizir discovering the Fountain of Eternal Life. The character accompanying him is probably the biblical prophet Elias. This episode is told in the story of Alexander (Eskandar) by Nezami or Amir Khosrow. The painting is framed by a frieze of calligraphic carvings alternating with blue cartouches, and margins decorated with floral motifs.

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