Accession Number1963/1.72
TitleTalhand Confronts His Brother Gav on the Battlefield, from the Shahnama of Firdausi
Artist(s)IranianArtist NationalityIranianObject Creation Datecirca 1460Medium & Supportink, opaque watercolor, and gold leaf on paperDimensions 10 1/2 in. x 7 in. ( 26.7 cm x 17.8 cm )
Subject matterTalhand Confronts His Brother Gav on the Battlefield
...Those illustrious kings,
All dudgeon and vindictiveness, then saddled
Two elephants, each at his army's centre
Took up his station, and assumed command.
The earth grew pitch-like, heaven azure-dim
With all the spears and silken bannerets,
While air was ebon with the armies' dust.
While at the thud of battle-ax, of mace,
And sword, a red reek went up from the deep,
...the hosts advanced,
Troop after troop, while all the plain was filled
With livers, brains, and hearts.
Physical DescriptionThis 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,
Talhand Confronts His Brother Gav on the Battlefield, is part of the Shahnama of Firdausi, the Persian book of kings.
Primary Object ClassificationPaintingCollection AreaWesternRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
Figures
Iranian Islamic painting styles after the Mongols
Iranian Islamic styles after the Mongols
Persian-Farsi (language)
Shahnama
Timurid
Timurid painting styles
battle
calligraphy (visual works)
elephants
gold leaf
gouaches (paintings)
hills
horses
men on horseback
miniatures (paintings)
shahs
watercolor painting (technique)