"Bahram Gur Slays the Rhino-Wolf", Folio 586r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
ca. 1530–35
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
Dimensions
Painting: H. 11 1/4 in. (28.5 cm) W. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm) Entire Page: H. 18 9/16 in. (47.1 cm) W. 12 7/16 in. (31.6 cm) Mat: H. 22 in. (55.9 cm) W. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
Accession Number
1970.301.65
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This stunning folio, "Bahram Slays the Rhino-W" (Folio 586r), comes from the *Shahnama* (Book of Kings), the Persian poem by Abu'l Qasim Firda that chronicles Iran's mythical and historical kings. Dating to around 1530–35, it illustrates a dramatic hunting episode featuring Bahram Gur, a Sassanian ruler famed for his prowess. Here, the king fearlessly battles a monstrous rhino-wolf hybrid amid a rugged landscape teeming with horses and wild animals—a vivid embodiment of heroic ideals central to Persian culture. Crafted in the royal atelier of Shah Tahmasp during the Safavid dynasty's artistic zenith, the painting is attributed to masters 'Abd al-'Aziz and Aqa Mirak. Their opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper create jewel-like intensity: shimmering metallic accents highlight the chaos of combat, while fine lines capture dynamic motion and intricate patterns in garments and beasts. At 11¼ × 7⅜ inches, this miniature exemplifies the precision of Persian codex illumination, blending poetry with visual storytelling. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1970, this page from one of the world's greatest *Shahnama* manuscripts underscores the Safavids' patronage of art, fusing literature, kingship, and nature in a timeless celebration of bravery and beauty.
About the Artist
'Abd al-'Aziz|Aqa Mirak|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi ( |Iranian) · 1500 |0935 –1550 |1020
active first half 16th century|Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus