"Giv Avenges Bahram by Slaying Tazhav", Folio 248r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 1500 - 1555

"Giv Avenges Bahram by Slaying Tazhav" is a folio from the Shahnama, or "Book of Kings," commissioned by the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp in the 16th century. This illuminated manuscript, created by an unknown artist of the Safavid period, depicts a scene from the epic Persian poem by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, which tells the story of ancient Persian kings. The image, framed by verses from the text, shows the hero Giv slaying Tazhav, a tyrannical king, with an arrow. This richly colored and detailed miniature showcases the intricate craftsmanship of the Safavid period. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses this impressive work.