"Siyavush Plays Polo before Afrasiyab", Folio 180v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Art Historical Context

This vibrant folio comes from the celebrated Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, one of the most luxurious illustrated manuscripts ever created in Persia. Painted around 1525–30 during the early Safavid period, it depicts a dramatic moment from the epic poem by Abu’l Qasim Firdausi: the young prince Siyavush playing polo before the Turanian ruler Afrasiyab. The scene captures both the athletic grace of the game and the political tensions of the story, rendered in the refined style of courtly Persian miniature painting. Executed in opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, the work exemplifies the technical brilliance of Safavid artists such as Mir Musavvir and Qasim ibn ‘Ali. Tiny, jewel-like details—gleaming armor, patterned textiles, and spirited horses—bring the narrative to life within a carefully balanced composition. Such manuscripts were not merely books but objects of royal prestige, often presented as diplomatic gifts or kept in royal libraries. Today preserved at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this page offers visitors a window into 16th-century Persian culture, where literature, art, and statecraft intertwined. The Shahnama’s tales of heroism and kingship resonated deeply with Safavid rulers, who used lavish illustrations like this one to connect their reign with Iran’s ancient heroic past.

About the Artist

Qasim ibn 'Ali|Mir Musavvir|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian|Iranian) · 1500 |0935 –1585 |1020

Iranian, active ca. 1525–60|Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus