Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. “Isfandiyar and His Army at Sunset”. Signed by Muhammad Yusuf
Iran, Isfahan; c. 1650
Leaf: 35.2 × 21.2 cm
Inventory number 146/2006
This atmospheric miniature was signed by Muhammad Yusuf. It is typical of his style in the period when he collaborated with and was influenced by the painter Muhammad Qasim. Together they created what is known as the “Windsor Shahnama” in 1648.
On his way to liberate his sisters in Turan, Prince Isfandiyar rides off at sunset to face one of his seven ordeals: to kill a powerful witch. The last rays of the sun give the clouds a golden glow, and the slightly somber palette shows that darkness is about to descend on the hero and his army, led by a richly clad young page. There is something slightly unsettling about the wild, mountainous landscape, which is hardly a pleasant place at night.
On his way to liberate his sisters in Turan, Prince Isfandiyar rides off at sunset to face one of his seven ordeals: to kill a powerful witch. The last rays of the sun give the clouds a golden glow, and the slightly somber palette shows that darkness is about to descend on the hero and his army, led by a richly clad young page. There is something slightly unsettling about the wild, mountainous landscape, which is hardly a pleasant place at night.
Published in
Published in
Kjeld von Folsach: For the Privileged Few: Islamic Miniature Painting from The David Collection, Louisiana, Humlebæk 2007, cat.no. 87;
Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Shahnama: the Colorful Epic About Iran’s Past, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2016, cat.nr. 44;
Joachim Meyer and Peter Wandel: Shahnama: the Colorful Epic About Iran’s Past, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2016, cat.nr. 44;
Miniature Paintings
Partly colored drawing pasted on an album leaf. ‘A Standing Dervish.’ Signed Muhsin
Miniature pasted on an album leaf. ‘A Bird on a Hazel Branch.’ Signed Shafi Abbasi
A copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. This miniature (fol. 44r): ‘Rustam Slaying the Dragon.’ Signed Muin Musawwir
Miniature pasted on an album leaf. ‘The Judgment of Solomon’