Shapur with the Daughter of Mihrak (text, recto; painting, verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
second half of the 16th century
Description
According to Firdawsi’s narrative, Prince Shapur, on a hunting trip, stopped to rest in a charming village where, at a well in a splendid garden, he saw a beautiful young woman drawing water. She offered to water his horses, but Shapur refused her help, saying that his men could perform the task. As they struggled to bring up the heavy bucket, the prince asked the woman about her family. When he learned that she was the daughter of his enemy Mihrak Nushzad and had been brought to the village for safekeeping, he decided to marry her immediately. In this illustration, Shapur and the daughter of Mihrak, standing in a blooming garden, gesture toward each other, while Shapur’s men are grouped on the right. Absent here are depictions of the well and of vessels for carrying water, which appear in other illustrations of the same story. Recto. Subtitles in the text of this folio read, "Ardashir sends a message to Kayd of India." Text corresponds with M. Ramazani (1963) vol. 4, pp. 121-22, lines 2893-2938; subtitle reads, "Ardashir sends a message to Kayd of India." Text corresponds with J. Mohl (1976), vol. 5, pp.342-46, lines 132-176. Mohl subtitle reads, " Shapour joue à la balle et est reconnu par Ardeshir," Ardeshir se fait prédire son sort par Keid l'Indien." Verso. Subtitle in the text of this folio reads, "Ardashir and Hurmuzd Go Hunting." The subtitle on the verso of this folio does not describe the painted image of Shapur and the daughter of Mihrak. Text corresponds with M. Ramazani (1963) vol. 4, pp. 122-24, lines 2939-2971. Text corresponds with J. Mohl (1976), vol. 5, pp.346-50, lines 177-209. Mohl subtitle reads, "Schapour épouse la fille de Mihrek."
Dimensions
34 x 22 cm (13 3/8 x 8 11/16 in.)
Provenance
Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1998-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
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