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Siyavush on His Horse Hitting a Rolling Target (recto) and Persian verses (verso), from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940–1019 or 1025)
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
A prince from Iran’s early legendary history, Siyavush was sent by his father, the shah, to train under the great warrior Rustam in the arts of hunting, archery, and horseback riding. In this painting, Siyavush demonstrates his considerable skill by hitting the bulls eye on a rolling target from horseback. The gold sky, pastel ground with grassy tufts, and dense leafy riverbank are distinctive features of Persian painting during this period.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineSiyavush on His Horse Hitting a Rolling Target (recto) and Persian verses (verso), from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940–1019 or 1025), late 1400s. Iran, Shiraz, Timurid period (1370-1501). Opaque watercolor, silver, gold, and ink on paper. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Heeramaneck Galleries, 1942.871
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