"Bizhan Forces Farud to Retreat into his Fort", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi · 1430-01-01T00:00:00Z

This painting shows the dramatic confrontation between the hero Bizhan, on the right, and Farud, the brave halfbrother of the Iranian king Kay Khusrau, in the fort on the left. Each has just slain his opponent’s horse, and eventually Farud will also be killed. This painting comes from a copy of the highly Persianate Shahnama that was probably made in northern India. The paintings from this book were later cut out and placed in an album with brightly colored borders.