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Lovers in a garden in bloom. Anthology. MS C-860, LB IOS AS USSR, f.41b. 1529. Bukhara
LOVERS IN A GARDEN IN BLOOM


Theme of harmony between lovers’ hearts and Nature is reading on this miniature. Love is connected with spring and blossom. This painting does not illustrate any poem but symbolizes love and beauty. Bright blue, scarlet trees, a silver stream, ornament clothes of the girl, yellow jacket of the young man create cheerful spirit in the miniature. The lovers do not talk, the girl enjoys an apple, the young man is reading the book and the rhythmical connection between their figures renders their unity. There are some mandarin ducks in the stream which is a poetic symbol of love in China.
Genre scene has lyrical and poetic vibration. At the same time this painting might bear symbolic meaning which was familiar to educated people of Central Asia.