Accession Number
1963/1.64

Title
The Death of Dara, from the Shahnama of Firdausi

Artist(s)
Iranian

Artist Nationality
Iranian

Object Creation Date
circa 1460

Medium & Support
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold leaf on paper

Dimensions
10 1/2 in. x 7 in. ( 26.7 cm x 17.8 cm )

Subject matter
The Death of Dara

The ministers came to Sikandar, saying:--
'O Shah victorious and endowed with knowledge!
We have surprised and slain thine enemy;
The crown and throne of chiefs are his no more."

The Ruman's heart and soul
Were filled with rage and gried. On drawing nigh
He gazed upon Dara and saw his breast 
All blood, his countenance like fenugreek, 
Gave orders to alight and set a guard
O'er those two ministers, and then, dismounting 
As swift as wind himself, took on his lap
The wounded monarch's head...
 

Physical Description
This Persian miniature is attributed to the Shiraz and Timurid schools, ca. 1460. The painting is done in ink, opaque watercolor and gold leaf on paper. The scene, The Death of Dara, is part of the Shahnama of Firdausi, the Persian book of kings. 

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Iranian Islamic painting styles after the Mongols
Iranian Islamic styles after the Mongols
Persian-Farsi (language)
Shahnama
Timurid
Timurid painting styles
battle
death
gold leaf
gouaches (paintings)
miniatures (paintings)
shahs
watercolor painting (technique)