Bahram Visits the White Domed Pavilion on Friday (recto)

c. 1560–80

Iran, Shiraz, Safavid period

(1501-1722)

View all records in artwork set

Medium

opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper

Measurements

Image: 26.8 x 17.5 cm (10 9/16 x 6 7/8 in.); Overall: 30.7 x 19.7 cm (12 1/16 x 7 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of William Kelly Simpson in memory of his wife Marilyn M. Simpson and her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr. 2006.146.a

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

The wife recounts a tale with dancing fairies, suggested by the girl dancing to music in the foreground of the painting.

Description

The Haft Paykar is an epic romantic poem that tells the story of the Sasanian king, Bahram Gur (ruled AD 420–38). The story relates how the king had an architect construct seven domed pavilions with different colors for each of his seven beautiful brides who came from different parts of the world. On each day of the week, the king visited one princess and enjoyed her company. In the center of this scene, sits Bahram and his bride from Iran dressed in resplendent white garments. Attendants bring them food and drink, while a dancer and an ensemble of musicians entertains them.