"Bahram Gur Shows His Skill Hunting, while Fitna Watches", Folio from a Haft Paykar (Seven Portraits) of Nizami of Ganja

Unknown

mid-16th century · Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper · Islamic Art

Excellence in the pursuits of hunting and archery were essential to a prince’s education, making him a stronger ruler and a formidable warrior. The Sasanian king Bahram V, also known as Bahram Gur, tries to impress his slave girl Fitna at the hunt. Instead she challenges him to pin an onager’s hoof to its ear. When he completes the difficult task, she angers him by attributing his skills to mere practice, a claim he later comes to accept.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-16th century

Medium

Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1930