Sultan 'Ali al-Mashadi

Sultan 'Ali al-Mashadi was a prominent manuscript artist whose documented period of activity spanned the half-century between 1465 and 1515. His artistic legacy is established through his mastery of illumination and calligraphy, essential components of classical Persian book arts.

Works attributed to Sultan 'Ali al-Mashadi are preserved in major North American institutions, confirming his significance in the history of Islamic manuscript production. Five illuminated folios are currently represented in museum collections, including those held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. These pieces all derive from the Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Sa'di (c. 1213–1291), a cornerstone of Persian literature frequently commissioned for illustration. Specific examples held in collections include the Illuminated Folio (recto) from a Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Sa'di and related Illuminated folio (verso) from a Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Sa'di.

The detailed craftsmanship required for these works ensures their status as museum-quality artifacts. Today, many of the Sultan 'Ali al-Mashadi prints and illuminated pages are available through digitized collections. These works, some of which are accessible as public domain images, allow for the viewing of high-quality prints that document the stylistic precision of late 15th-century manuscript painting.