Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

In versions by the Persian poets Nizami and Amir Khusrau of Delhi, the old Arab tale of the separated lovers Layla and Majnun became a favourite subject of Mughal period painting. The young lovers first meet as children. Later, when prevented from seeing Layla by her family, the distracted Majnun (‘Mad’, ‘Possessed by jinn’) becomes a solitary wanderer in the wilderness. Chanting poems of love for Layla, he keeps company with the wild animals, holding court among them like a human king. In this later scene from the story, the now-married Layla pays a visit to Majnun in the wilderness. She holds a volume, perhaps of his verses, and her riding-camel rests nearby. The emaciated Majnun receives her courteously, resting against a gruff-looking lion as his throne cushion.