Bahram Gur and Azada, from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940–1019 or 1025)

Cleveland Museum of Art

Bahram Gur and Azada, from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940–1019 or 1025)

Date
1500s
Medium
opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Culture
Iran, Tabriz or Qazvin, Safavid period (1501-1722)
Department
Islamic Art
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art

This image from an unfinished painting depicts one of the most popular episodes from the life of the pre-Islamic Persian king Bahram Gur (reigned 420–438 CE). A famed hunter, he was challenged by his concubine, Azada, to strike a donkey through its foot and ear with a single arrow. Azada is in the upper right playing the harp on a camel. Bahram Gur successfully meets her challenge at the bottom of the page; he tossed a rock into the donkey’s ear, then fired when the animal tried to kick it loose.

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