Author
Attributed to Siafusah
Author Original
منسوبة إلى سيافوساه
Publication Date
1576-77
Publication Place
Iran, Qazvin -
Aga Khan Museum
Subject
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
Yes
Physical Dimensions
40.4 × 29.8 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
AKM103
Record ID
object;EPM;ca;Mus21;36;ar
Library Location
Aga Khan Museum
Date
1576-77
Notes
This miniature painting, “Isfandyar slays Simorgh,” is from a scattered illustrated manuscript of the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) made by the Persian poet Ferdowsi in 1010. Shah Ismail II (r. 1576-77) commissioned the manuscript, following the example of his grandfather, Ismail I, and his father, Shah Tahmasp, both of whom showed interest in Ferdowsi’s epic during their reign. The Shahnameh, which was commissioned by Ismail II to be written, can be seen as a link in a series of the Book of Kings after the magnificent manuscript of Shah Tahmasp, and constitutes a bridge to the next period of royal patronage of the epic under the rule of Shah Abbas (1587-1629). The manuscript was left unfinished upon the death of Ismail II. Ismail II’s artistic studio employed a number of artists who are credited with depicting the Shahnameh, including Siyavush, Siddiq Bey, Naqdi, and Murad Dilmi. And a mihrab. These artists did not sign their works, and the works were attributed to them, perhaps by the contemporary curator of the Royal Library. At the bottom of the page, in the corner on the left side, this painting is attributed to Siyavush.
Sample Text
“Esfandiyar kills Simorgh, a page from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) by Shah Ismail II” under Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;ca;Mus21;36;ar
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MWNF Working Number: CA1 36
