Gordiya Parleys with Tuwurg by Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Husaini (known as al-Mausili)

Gordiya Parleys with Tuwurg 1341

hasanibnmuhammadibnaliibnhusainiknownasalmausili

minneapolisinstituteofart

aged paper

water colours

handmade artwork painting

personal sketchbook

coloured pencil

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

botanical art

watercolor

"Gordiya Parleys with Tuwurg" is an illustrated page from a 1341 manuscript by the artist Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Husaini, known as al-Mausili. The scene depicts a military encounter between the Mongol leader Gordiya and the Ilkhanid prince Tuwurg. The manuscript is a historical account of events in the Ilkhanid period. The illustration shows the two figures on horseback, surrounded by their armies. This page from the manuscript is a valuable historical document and a beautiful example of Islamic manuscript illumination.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This page, from the same Shahnameh manuscript as the work on the left, shifts the image to the bottom of the six-columned text, demonstrating the variety and visual rhythm of the complete manuscript. The scene depicts the influential Iranian noblewoman Gordiya, seen on horseback on the left. Her late brother Bahram had attempted to seize the throne from the Sasanian emperor Khosrow II (r. 590–628 CE). After Bahram’s defeat, they fled to the court of the emperor of China who insisted on taking Gordiya’s hand in marriage. Unwilling, Gordiya plans her escape; the emperor soon learns of Gordiay’s intentions and sends his military leader, Tuwurg, seen on the right, to bring her back. This painting, with its freewheeling composition of polo-like combat, foreshadows Gordiya’s victory over Tuwrug, and her triumphant return to Iran, where she ultimately marries Khosrow II.