Love and Devotion

This manuscript in the Bodleian's collection is the earliest-known dated copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

This outstanding miniature painting comes from a copy of Navaʾi's re-telling of the famous tale of Bahram Gur.

Dreams are often used in Persian stories to foreshadow key events.

Exquisitely painted, this image conveys the poignancy of the moment of falling in love.

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The exhibition

The free exhibition Love and devotion: from Persia and beyond (9 March–1 July 2012) celebrates the beauty of Persian manuscripts and the stories of human and divine love told through their pages from the early 11th century on.

Many of the manuscripts on show have been loaned from the world-renowned collection of the Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford; other exhibits are rare works from the State Library of Victoria and other Australian collections.

Bodleian Libraries

Library Foundation appeal

Events

Conference

Love and devotion: Persian Cultural Crossroads

This two-day conference held in April 2012 featured distinguished international guests and Australian specialists exploring cultural convergences in literature, the arts and architecture, history and philosophy within Persia's cultural sphere and Europe, from the 11th century to the present day.

For information on keynote speakers & topics discussed, visit our conference page