"Buzurjmihr Appears at Nushirvan's Fifth Assembly", Folio 622r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp 1505 - 1560

This folio from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) depicts a scene from the Persian epic poem, written by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi in the 10th and 11th centuries. The miniature painting, created between 1505 and 1560, depicts a scene of the legendary king Nushirvan seated on a throne surrounded by his court. The use of vibrant colors and intricate details, characteristic of Persian miniature painting, gives the artwork an almost otherworldly quality. The Shahnama, a prized possession of the Safavid dynasty, was commissioned by Shah Tahmasp, and housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.