ManuscriptsPersian16th century

Gushtaham and Banduy Blind Hurmuzd (painting, recto; text, verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

1562

Description

King Hurmuzd was deceived into suspecting his son, Khusraw Parviz, of rebellion. Forewarned of his father’s plan to put him to death, Khusraw escaped from Iran. Hurmuzd, suspecting his brothers Gushtaham and Banduy of siding with Khusraw, imprisoned them. With the king dispirited and in seclusion, however, the prisoners escaped, armed themselves, and rode to the royal palace, where their troops blinded the king. The illustration depicts the gruesome moment when hot iron rods are put to Hurmuzd’s eyes. Instead of armed rebels, those who observe this scene are court officials, who display little emotion. Moreover, three women on the palace balcony seem entirely unaware of the event.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Culture

Persian

Period

Safavid period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

37.1 x 24 cm (14 5/8 x 9 7/16 in.)

Provenance

[Christies, London, 17 October 1995, lot no. 79]. [Mansour Gallery, London, before 1997], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1997-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.