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"The Coup against Usurper Shah", Folio 745v 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
In the year 630, during a fifty-day reign, Shah Farain Guraz completely dissipated the entire royal treasury. Because of this greed and injustice, the army soon turned against the shah and swore to rid Iran of the usurper. One day while on a hunt, the leader of the coup, Shahran Guraz, drew his bow as if to shoot a stag but instead shot the monarch in the back. The accompanying warriors then began to battle with each other. This illustration appears to take place after the murder of the shah. Unlike many battle scenes, the artist Dust Muhammad has rendered each horse’s armor with great care, resulting in a rhythmic and colorful pattern across the field of the painting

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Coup against Usurper Shah", Folio 745v 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 3/16 in. (18.2 cm)
    W. 10 7/16 in. (26.5 cm)
    Entire Page:
    H. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)
    W. 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.76
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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