"Faramarz Encircled While Battling Bahman", Folio 475r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Aqa Mirak|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

ca. 1530–35 · Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Bahman, the son of Isfandiyar, wished to avenge his father’s death by destroying Zabulistan (Sistan) and the remaining family of Rustam. Faramarz, Rustam’s son, is shown here valiantly defending his homeland, but in the end he lost the battle, his land, and his life. The artist Aqa Mirak painted in the mature Safavid style, characterized here by large‑scale figures set close to the foreground. This style anticipates that of illustrated manuscripts and single‑figure studies of the 1540s and ’50s.

Artist

Aqa Mirak|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

Date

ca. 1530–35

Medium

Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970