"Bahram Gur in the Red Pavilion", Folio from a Haft Paikar (Seven Portraits) of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
The painting shows a scene taking place in a garden setting with a prominent pavilion. Musicians play the tambourine and the harp, while a dancer is elegantly moving in rhythm with the music. This ensemble entertains the main characters of the story, a couple affectionately holding hands seated inside a pavilion under a prominent triangular shaped roof. Birds on trees with flowers evoke springtime. It is a well-known story of Nizami’s Haft Paikar ("Seven Princesses") recounting the legendary history of the Sasanian king Bahram Gur, an idealized lover and hunter.
The entwined arms of Bahram Gur and his wife form a striking knotted composition in red, accentuated by the red pavilion in which they sit. The Persian hero visits his fourth wife, the Slavic Princess Nasrin on a Tuesday. Other days of the week are reserved for his other wives in their respective pavilions, each individually colored to match the day.
The entwined arms of Bahram Gur and his wife form a striking knotted composition in red, accentuated by the red pavilion in which they sit. The Persian hero visits his fourth wife, the Slavic Princess Nasrin on a Tuesday. Other days of the week are reserved for his other wives in their respective pavilions, each individually colored to match the day.
Artwork Details
- Title: "Bahram Gur in the Red Pavilion", Folio from a Haft Paikar (Seven Portraits) of the Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
- Author: Nizami (present-day Azerbaijan, Ganja 1141–1209 Ganja)
- Date: ca. 1520
- Geography: Attributed to Turkey, Istanbul
- Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
- Dimensions: H. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)
W. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, Turkish Centennial Fund, and Zeynep Oğuz Bilimer and Evren Bilimer Gift, 2025
- Object Number: 2025.290
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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Multiple artists/makers
dated 931 AH/1524–25 CE
Nizami
16th century
Nizami
ca. 1625–30
Nizami
ca. 1620–30
Nizami
ca. 1620–30
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