Afrasiyab and Siyavush Embrace (painting, recto; text, verso), illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown artist

1520-1540

Black ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on off-white paper, with underdrawing in black ink

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A group of men in elaborate robes and turbans are gathered on a blue tiled terrace, with two central figures embracing. Several figures stand on stairs and balconies, and a horse is visible. In this part of Firdawsi’s epic, the Iranian king Kay Kavus decided to wage war against Turan (Turkestan), even though his son, prince Siyavush, had signed a treaty with the Turanian king, Afrasiyab. Siyavush chose to disregard his father’s orders and accept Afrasiyab’s invitation to visit Turan and take refuge in the realm, thereby averting yet another war between Iran and Turan. This folio was part of a famous illustrated manuscript of the Shahnama produced at the Safavid court during the 1520s and 1530s. Known as the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, after the ruler (r. 1524–76) for whom it was made, the book originally consisted of 759