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"The Combat of Khusrau Parviz and Bahram Chubina (?)", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1330–40
Not on view
Against the advice of wise men, the general Bahram Chubina went to fight Khusrau Parviz, son of Hurmuzd, and his Ruman army provided by Caesar, in order to gain the throne of Iran. This encounter was the first of many between the two, and only after numerous adventures did the son and heir of the shah finally gain the throne. Text that does not belong has been pasted over the text area on this leaf, leaving only part of one line of the original showing; since the image of two warriors in single combat is generic, it is impossible to be certain if the identification of the scene is accurate. The poses of the warriors indicate that one has just released an arrow and that the other has been struck by it, but the weapons are not visible because of the retouching of the background.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Combat of Khusrau Parviz and Bahram Chubina (?)", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: ca. 1330–40
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, probably Isfahan
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
  • Dimensions: Page:
    H. 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm)
    W. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
    Painting:
    H. 1 15/16 in. (5 cm)
    W. 4 5/16 in. (10.9 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
  • Object Number: 1974.290.42
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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