Artwork Page for Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso)

Details / Information for Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso)

Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso)

c. 1610

India, Bijapur, Deccan

View all records in artwork set
Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Page: 20.3 x 12 cm (8 x 4 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.283.1.b
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This illustrated page from a Shah-nama depicts the first adventure of the hero Bijan, son of an Iranian knight. When reports arrived at the king’s court of wild boars ravaging the borderlands between the enemy realms of Iran and Turan, Bijan volunteered to hunt and kill the beasts, much to the chagrin of his father, who doubted his young son’s ability to navigate the politically volatile situation. The fearless Bijan is shown on horseback as he singlehandedly strikes the bodies of the boars in the brush. After overzealously celebrating his success, Bijan must be rescued from a pit by Rustam. This early manuscript from the Deccan made for the sultan of Bijapur is characterized by glowing colors and lavish use of gold.
A vertically oriented book page features Persian script in four columns above and below a gum tempera painting. Bijan, a light-skinned man in a patterned red tunic, rides a galloping reddish-brown horse across pale hills. He thrusts a spear toward dark boars hidden in green reeds. Glinting gold lines frame the scene. The entire work is set within a wide, dark brown border with worn and irregular edges.

Bijan killing the wild boars of Irman, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, about 934–1020) (verso)

c. 1610

India, Bijapur, Deccan

See Also

  • Collection
    Indian
  • Department
    Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Type of artwork
    Painting
  • Medium
    Tempera
  • Credit line
    Gift In Honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by Exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork