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"Yazdigird II Accedes to the Throne", Folio 592r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Bashdan Qara Iranian
ca. 1530–35
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
The aged shah Bahram Gur named his son Yazdigird II as his successor. Upon the death of his father, Yazdigird called his noblemen together and, seated on the Golden Throne of Iran, exhorted them to act with justice, humanity, and wisdom. The simplicity of this composition, with the king enthroned between two evenly balanced groups of courtiers, is typical of the later phases of production of the Shahnama and of the work of second-generation artists such as Bashdan Qara.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Yazdigird II Accedes to the Throne", Folio 592r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Artist: Painting attributed to Bashdan Qara (Iranian, active ca. 1525–1535)
  • Date: ca. 1530–35
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting:
    H. 7 1/8 in. (18.1 cm)
    W. 6 3/4 in. (17.2 cm)
    Entire Page:
    H. 18 11/16 in. (47.5 cm)
    W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.66
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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