Demotte’s Shahnama of Firdawsi: Dying Rustam Slaying Shaghad

Abstract

This paper focuses on the analysis of a Persian miniature belonging to the period of Mongols from the famous text of Demotte’s Shahnama Firdawsi illustrated at Tabriz. The history of Shahnamas and their significance in the culture of Persia has been comprehensively studied. The formal and contextual study of the selected painting Dying Rutam Slaying Shaghad has been done along with comparative analysis with other miniatures and styles. This miniature reflects the grandeur of ancient Persian history focusing on heroes of Iran like Rustam and also creates a link between past dynasties regarding their painting styles.