"The Khaqan Captive Before Bahram Gur", Folio 578r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
Dimensions
Painting: H. 7 11/16 in. (19.5 cm) W. 6 11/16 in. (17 cm) Entire Page: H. 18 5/8 in. (47.3 cm) W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
Accession Number
1970.301.64
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite folio, titled *"The Khaqan Captive Bahram Gur"* (Folio 578r), from the magnificent *Shahnama* (Book of Kings) commissioned by Shah Tahmasp, the second ruler of Iran's Safavid dynasty (r. 1524–76). Created around 1530–35, it illustrates a dramatic episode from the epic poem by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, the Sassanian king Bahram Gur a defeated Turkish khan (Khaqan). Amidst a bustling scene of warriors, horses, and armies—evident from the tags—this miniature captures the triumph of Persian heroism, a recurring theme in the *Shahnama* that celebrated Iran's mythical and historical kings...
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