ManuscriptsPersian16th century

Text page with title “Letter of Kay Khusraw to Fariburz” (text, recto and verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

1562

Description

Once Kay Khusraw assumed the throne of Iran, he launched his first military campaign against Turan to avenge the death of his father, Siyavush. With its dark sky spangled by silver stars, this painting illustrates one of the campaign's setbacks. Addled by days and nights of carousing as they celebrated initial success, the Iranian soldiers were unprepared for battle when the Turanians, led by Afrasiyab's commander-in-chief, Piran, swept down upon their camp at night. In the ensuing struggle, the Turanians destroyed two-thirds of the Iranian army.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Culture

Persian

Period

Safavid period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

37 x 24 cm (14 9/16 x 9 7/16 in.)

Provenance

[Christies, London, 17 October 1995, lot no. 79]. [Mansour Gallery, London, before 1998], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1998-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.