Folio from the manuscript “Makhzan al-Asrar” (The Treasury of Mysteries)

This illustrated folio comes from Makhzan al-Asrar, “The Treasury of Mysteries,” by the poet Nizami Ganjavi. The manuscript was created in Isfahan in the 16th century. It depicts a well-known episode: the meeting between Sultan Sanjar and the old woman.
According to the story, the ruler, surrounded by his court, is approached by a poor woman who speaks to him openly and without fear. She reminds him of justice and responsibility, and of the temporary nature of worldly power. Through this episode, Nizami presents a moral lesson about leadership and accountability.
The miniature reflects this message visually. Sultan Sanjar appears at the center of the composition, mounted and richly dressed. Yet the old woman stands firmly before him, becoming a focal point of the scene. The balanced arrangement of figures, vivid colors, and carefully organized landscape guide the viewer’s attention.
Although the manuscript was created centuries after the Seljuk period, it preserves a literary and artistic tradition that viewed rulers through the lens of ethical reflection — an important theme in Islamic intellectual culture.