"Bizhan Forces Farud to Retreat into his Fort", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1405 - 1465

This is a page from a Shahnama, or Book of Kings, made in the broader Iranian world. The scene, painted in opaque watercolor, depicts a moment of retreat, with Bizhan forcing Farud back into his fort. The materials here are traditional: paper, pigments, and perhaps gold leaf for added luster. But it’s not the cost of the materials that matters so much as the artistry involved. Note how the painter has carefully built up the forms with fine, controlled lines. He has even suggested a texture like brickwork. The painting would have been commissioned, so we can assume that the labor required to create it was fully valued. This stands in contrast to so many other kinds of making, where the work and skill involved are obscured. Here, the artist makes an effort to celebrate the value of time and skill by making it so visibly present. The very act of looking closely becomes an act of appreciation.