Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 8: Yusef and Zuleykha

by Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the art region or artist.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād's 'Yusef and Zulaikha (Joseph chased by Potiphar's wife)' depicts a scene from the Bible and the Quran. The painting shows a cross-sectional view of a building, with the beautiful Zulaikha kneeling and clutching at the handsome Yusef. Some people believe the story of Yusef and Zulaikha is symbolic of the soul's longing for the divine.

Vocabulary

Bible: The Christian scriptures, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.
Quran (Koran): The Islamic sacred book, believed to be the word of God as dictated to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel and written down in Arabic.
Symbolic: Serving as a symbol, or representing another object or idea. For example, a heart can symbolize love.
Pattern: A repeated decorative design.
Cross-Sectional: An area exposed by making a straight cut through a solid form, especially at right angles to an axis.
Longing: A yearning desire, a craving or a hunger.
Divine: Of, from, or like God or a god.

Concepts

1. Persian painter Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād was born in 1450 in Herat, Timurid Empire, now Afghanistan. See his picture below.

2. Zoom in and find Behzād's birth country of Afghanistan on the map of South Central Asia below.

3. Behzād was an orphan who was raised by a well-known painter.
4. Behzād had many powerful art benefactors including a Sultan and a Shah.
5. Geometric shapes feature prominently in Behzād's works. He is best known for his Persian miniature paintings (small paintings on paper) and book illustrations.
6. He died in Herat in 1535 at the age of 85.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Roof
• Turret
• Doors
• Stairs
• Balconies
• Front Door
• Floor
• Rug
• Patterns
• Sunflower Pattern

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the new words, point out any you see in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 15 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Activity 5: Explore Symbolism

Zoom in and identify what each of the symbols might represent.

☠

☘

☺

☹

♫

♰

Activity 6: Explore Patterns

Zoom in and identify what the next four symbols in each pattern should be.

☀ ☃ ☀ ☃ ☀ ☃ ☀ ☃ ☀

▣ ⚫ ⛛ ▣ ⚫ ⛛ ▣ ⚫ ⛛

★ ☁ ☂ ☮ ★ ☁ ☂ ☮

⚑ ⚑ ⚐ ⚐ ⚑ ⚑ ⚐ ⚐

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The characters are Yusef (Joseph) and Zulaikha (Potiphar's wife).

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is inside a building.

2 / 5

Question 3

How many levels does the building have, not including the roof?

3 / 5

Answer 3

The building has three floors or levels.

3 / 5

Question 4

Give one example of a symbol.

4 / 5

Answer 4

Answers will vary.

4 / 5

Question 5

Give one example of a pattern involving a circle and a triangle.

5 / 5

Answer 5

Answers will vary.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Yusef (Joseph) and Zulaikha (Potiphar's wife).
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is inside a building.
3. How many levels does the building have, not including the roof? The building has three floors or levels.
4. Give one example of a symbol. Answers will vary.
5. Give one example of a pattern involving a circle and a triangle. Answers will vary.

References

'Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Yusuf and Zulaikha.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.