Bahram Gur enthroned after killing two lions, from a Book of Kings (Shahnama) manuscript

Unknown (Safavid) (دودمان صفوی‎)

Item type:

painting

Date of creation:

ca. 1540

Height:

19.7 cm  (7 3/4 in.)

Width:

10.7 cm  (4 3/16 in.)

framed: 48.9 × 36.2 cm (19 1/4 × 14 1/4 in.)

Technique / Medium:

ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Description

In the lower left corner of this painting, the image of a woman playing a chang (harp) can be seen.
Commentary from museum website:
Famous for his love of hunting and music, Bahram Gur (r. 420–38 C.E.) was the fifteenth king of the Sasanian Empire, which controlled the greater Iranian region until the advent of Islam. Also popular for abolishing taxes, Bahram Gur features in the Book of Kings (Shahnama) and elsewhere in Persian literature.

People as subjects

Bahrām V, King of Iran (born ca. 400, died 438)

Iconclass

44B113
king
44B1322
kneeling before a ruler
48CC7522
one person playing string instrument (plucked) - CC - out of doors
48CC7322
harp - CC - out of doors

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

Chang [3273]

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

RIdIM record id

6160