"Rescue of Bizhan by Piran", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi 1585 - 1635

This 16th-century miniature painting depicts the "Rescue of Bizhan by Piran," a scene from the epic Persian poem the *Shahnama* (Book of Kings) by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, whose birth and death dates are 935 and 1020, respectively. This folio from a *Shahnama* manuscript, held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, shows the heroic Piran rescuing Bizhan from a pit where he was held captive. The intricate details and vibrant colors characteristic of Mughal miniature art, such as the gold accents and the expressive figures, bring the epic tale to life.