HAMDI. Yusuf wa Zuleykha by Hamdi (d. 1503), signed... Lot 45

HAMDI. Yusuf wa Zuleykha by Hamdi (d. 1503), signed Ahmad b. Mustafa, Ottoman Empire, dated 1028 H/1619 Poetic manuscript in Ottoman Turkish of 234 leaves, acephalous, text in two columns of black naskh of 16 lines, partially framed by a red fillet, in a modern paper binding. Size : 20 x 15 cm (binding) Hamdi (Hamdullah Celebi) is an important Ottoman poet of the 15th and early 16th century. His Yusuf wa Zuleykha, known in the West as the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife, is one of the most popular texts of Ottoman romantic literature. It is particularly inspired by the versions of Firdawsi (d. 1020) and Jami (d.1492). In his preface, Hamdi indicates that he feels a familiarity with Joseph, as he too was mistreated by his brothers in his youth (Gibbs, E.J.W., History of Ottoman Poetry, London, 1902, p. 142).