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

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
 Painting attributed to Aqa Mirak Iranian

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462

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.

"Faramarz Encircled While Battling Bahman", Folio 475r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus), Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper

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