Folio 42v: Faridun Tests his Sons

Mehran DHN

Attributed to Aqa Mirak, this painting displays a mastery of pictorial space.[1] The arc of the dragon on the left is offset by the placement of the three figures on horseback, guiding viewers through the painting from the lower centre to the upper right. In this way, viewers not only focus on the primary encounter between rider and dragon in the painting’s foreground, but also explore the reactions of the other two riders. The differences among them are crucial. At the sight of the dragon the oldest son turns and flees, exclaiming that no sane person would fight a dragon. The middle son prepares to fight the beast as if he were in battle with another man. The youngest son stands his ground, telling the dragon to be off because he and his brothers are the sons of Faridun and warriors like their father. Faridun calls the first one Salm because he had sought safety; the second he names Tur for his brash fearlessness; and the third, who astutely and bravely confronted the dragon, is dubbed Iraj. To each Faridun assigns one third of his kingdom. Salm receives Rum, the western provinces; Tur receives the eastern section, Turan; and Iraj is given the central kingdom, Iran.