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"Nushirvan Greets the Khaqan's Daughter", Folio 633v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Dust Muhammad Iranian
ca. 1530–35
Not on view
When the Khaqan of Chin became aware of the greatness and power of the Iranian shah, he determined to form an alliance and offered one of his daughters in marriage to cement it. Nushirvan accepted the offer, but sent a wise envoy to choose the best of the Khaqan’s five daughters. Four were descended from slaves, while the mother of the fifth was a princess. This daughter was the Khaqan’s favorite and he did not wish to lose her. Despite the attempt by the girl’s mother to dress her poorly, her superior breeding and beauty were obvious and soon she left for Iran, where Nushirvan was overcome with astonishment at her loveliness. The distinctive style of Dust Muhammad, a second-generation Shahnama artist, is evident in the elongated silhouettes of the figures and the flattened profile of the servant in the foreground.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Nushirvan Greets the Khaqan's Daughter", Folio 633v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Artist: Painting attributed to Dust Muhammad (Iranian, Herat late 1400s–1560s Qazvin)
  • Date: ca. 1530–35
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting:
    H. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)
    W. 7 in. (17.8 cm)
    Entire Page:
    H. 18 5/8 in. (47.3 cm)
    W. 12 7/16 in. (31.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.70
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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