"Kai Khusrau, Farangis and Giv Crossing the River Jihun (Oxus)", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1425 - 1475

This miniature painting, "Kai Khusrau, Farangis and Giv Crossing the River Jihun (Oxus)", is a folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) created between 1425 and 1475. The Shahnama is an epic poem by the Persian poet Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, completed in 1010. The painting depicts a scene from the epic, showcasing the three figures crossing the river Jihun on horseback. The artwork features vibrant colors, detailed figures, and intricate floral motifs, typical of the Timurid period, a period of great artistic flourishing in Persia. This miniature, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the rich visual culture of pre-modern Persia and the enduring legacy of the Shahnama.