"Siyavush Plays Polo before Afrasiyab", Folio 180v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
Dimensions
Painting: H. 11 3/16 in. (28.4 cm) W. 9 5/16 in. (23.7 cm) Entire Page: H. 18 5/8 in. (47.3 cm) W. 12 9/16 in. (31.9 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
Accession Number
1970.301.26
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant folio comes from the celebrated Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, one of the most luxurious illustrated manuscripts ever created in Persia. Painted around 1525–30 during the early Safavid period, it depicts a dramatic moment from the epic poem by Abu’l Qasim Firdausi: the young prince Siyavush playing polo before the Turanian ruler Afrasiyab. The scene captures both the athletic grace of the game and the political tensions of the story, rendered in the refined style of courtly Persian miniature painting. Executed in opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, the w...
About the Artist
Qasim ibn 'Ali|Mir Musavvir|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian|Iranian) · 1500 |0935 –1585 |1020
Iranian, active ca. 1525–60|Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus