“Caesar of Rome in Submission”
Date1520
PeriodSafavid
MediumGouache painting, gold, and ink on paper
DimensionsPainting: 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (21.6 x 11.4 cm)
Leaf: 11 1/2 x 7 1/4 in.
ClassificationsPaintings
Object number11.6.6
DescriptionThe Sasanian king (from the historical part of Shahnameh) is depicted in blue at the center of this scene, granting forgiveness to his rival Roman ruler. The figures in alternating tones of blue, red, and light-purple are mounted on the finely decorated architectural elements in a semi-circular arrangement. Not only the figures are carefully aligned around the King, but the colors have also been chosen carefully and solely to appear as aesthetically pleasing as possible, with little concern for perspective.The rich jewel tones were achieved by finely grinding semiprecious stones. The careful alignment of figures, drawing the viewer’s eye to the center, and framing the text, would have been sketched out by the master of the atelier well before any artisan actually touched the paper.
On View
Not on view
1520
19th - 20th century
Dated AH 1031 (1622 CE)
19th - 20th century
