ManuscriptsPersian16th century

The Iranians Repel Afrasiyab’s Night Attack (painting, recto; text, verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

1562

Description

The war between Iran and Turan continued, finally bringing about the defeat of Afrasiyab’s forces by those of Kay Khusraw. This illustration shows Rustam, who can be identified by his animal-skin garb, helping rout the Turanians, while Afrasiyab looks on in consternation, his emotion indicated by his finger-to-mouth gesture. This painting falls within the textual description of a night attack by the Turanians, although it depicts a daytime event. Despite the overall delicacy and refinement of the Safavid style, the artist has convincingly conveyed the gruesomeness of combat by littering the flowery landscape with dismembered bodies and severed heads.

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

37.3 x 24 cm (14 11/16 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.