Joseph and Zuleykha in the Palace

This ceramic tile mural depicts a scene from the story of Yusuf and Zuleykha, characterized by vibrant pastel colors and a formal, flattened perspective typical of Qajar-era tilework. Yusuf, wearing a crown and a pink robe, is seated on a low golden throne in the center-top, while Zuleykha stands to his left in a teal robe, holding a small object. Below them, a group of courtly women are seated around a spread of fruit on a patterned carpet; several of the women are shown with their hands raised to their faces, gesturing to their mouths or cheeks in a pose of shock and awe. The background is draped in pink fabric, and the entire composition is rendered on a grid of square tiles, with visible grout lines intersecting the figures.

This artwork illustrates a pivotal scene from the Quranic and literary tradition of Yusuf and Zuleykha, specifically the moment when the noblewomen of Egypt, invited by Zuleykha, are so overwhelmed by Yusuf's radiant beauty that they accidentally cut their hands with the fruit knives they were using. This theme of divine or transcendent beauty is a cornerstone of Persian mystical poetry, most notably explored in the 'Haft Awrang' (Seven Thrones) by Jami.