"The Night Battle of Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab", Folio367v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 1500 - 1555

"The Night Battle of Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab" was created with opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper. It is a page from the Shahnama, or Book of Kings. This painting transports us to a nighttime clash between the armies of Kai Khusrau and Afrasiyab, two legendary figures of Persian mythology. Produced in Persia, now Iran, it offers a glimpse into the cultural values of the time, specifically the importance of kingship and warfare. The formal style of the image draws on conventions that were established during the Timurid empire, but then flowered under the Safavids. Notably, the painting is part of the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, a lavishly illustrated manuscript commissioned by the Safavid ruler Shah Tahmasp I. This speaks to the intersection of art and power. In commissioning such a grand work, Shah Tahmasp sought to affirm his authority and legitimize his rule through the cultural capital that such artworks brought to his court. Art historians rely on textual analysis of primary sources to understand the history behind the painting. Considering its socio-political context helps us to appreciate the power and the role of the artwork.