start page
Yussuf faced with Egyptian women. Jami. “Yussuf and Zulaikha”. Private collection, USA. The 1550s. Bukhara.
YUSSUF FACED WITH EGYPTIAN WOMEN, Jami. «Yussuf and Zulaikha»


That story was very famous and illustrated many times. The scene tells about Zulaikha who was in love with her slave Yussuf is presenting him to her court people. His beauty shocked everybody.
The figures of the main characters are diagonally placed. Around the pool the girl-friends of Zulaikha are sitting. Gesture is an important means to display emotions in Oriental miniature painting.
Clear lines and division of the elements is typical for Maverannakhr painting school. Colour scheme is full, all tones are in harmony.