Bahram Gur Arrives at the House of a Merchant, text page (recto), from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940-1019 or 1025), known as the Great Mongol Shahnama

1330–35

Bahram Gur Arrives at the House of a Merchant, text page (recto), from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (940-1019 or 1025), known as the Great Mongol Shahnama, 1330–35. Iran, Tabriz, Ilkhanid period (1256-1353). Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper; sheet: 45.8 x 34.4 cm (18 1/16 x 13 9/16 in.); image: 19.5 x 29.5 cm (7 11/16 x 11 5/8 in.); text area: 41 x 29.5 cm (16 1/8 x 11 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Grace Rainey Rogers Fund 1943.658.a The Shahnama is an epic poem that traces the fortunes of heroes and kings, of lovers and enemies.