Two Mounted Warriors

Unknown

mid-16th century · Ink, watercolor, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

The so-called Parthian shot, that is, the arrow shot delivered backward while galloping forward, required considerable practice and was an important skill of the Mongol cavalrymen, which allowed them to better many other armies. Although the horsemen wear post-Ilkhanid tunics, battle scenes from the early fourteenth century are similar in spirit to these sixteenth-century figures, which were drawn from earlier models. Likewise, the horses have the stance of Mongolian ponies, but details, such as their straight long tails and proportionally small heads, indicate Safavid taste.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-16th century

Medium

Ink, watercolor, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of George D. Pratt, 1935