2002.50.45: Khusraw Parviz Murdered in his Sleep (painting, recto; text, verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
ManuscriptsIdentification and Creation
- Object Number
- 2002.50.45
- Title
- Khusraw Parviz Murdered in his Sleep (painting, recto; text, verso), folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi
- Classification
- Manuscripts
- Work Type
- manuscript folio
- Date
- c. 1480
- Places
- Creation Place: Middle East, Iran, Shiraz
- Period
- Aq Qoyunlu period
- Culture
- Persian
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/165395
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
- Dimensions
- 34.1 x 22.3 cm (13 7/16 x 8 3/4 in.)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (by 1992-2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art
- Accession Year
- 2002
- Object Number
- 2002.50.45
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Descriptions
- Description
-
Courtiers who supported prince Shiruy’s bid for the throne pressured him to slay his father, the captive Khusraw Parviz. Shiruy, although distressed by the idea, was too weak to stand up to his nobles; they hired an assassin, whom Firdawsi describes as a hideous man named Mihr Hurmuzd. When Mihr Hurmuzd entered the palace where Khusraw Parviz was imprisoned, the king was appalled by the repellent creature who would bring about his death. He ordered his servant to bring fresh clothes and water and, after washing and praying, put on the clothes and covered his face with a cloak to avoid seeing his ugly murderer. Immediately Mihr Hurmuzd, dagger in hand, locked the chamber doors and stabbed the king in the chest.
The painting captures the dramatic climax of the story, showing Khusraw on his bed and, atop him, Mihr Hurmuzd in the act of stabbing. Khusraw wears a crown; his face, contrary to what the text says, is not covered. The appearance of the assassin likewise diverges from the textual description: he wears ordinary fifteenth-century court dress, and only his exposed legs indicate his lowly status. The royal chamber in which the scene takes place is decorated with wall paintings, tilework, a carpet, and various types of geometric ornament.
Published Catalogue Text: In Harmony: The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art , written 2013
69
Khusraw Parviz Murdered on the Order of Shiruy
Recto: text and illustration, with title
“The killing of Khusraw Parviz by the hand of Shiruy”
Verso: text
Aq Qoyunlu period, c. 1480
Folio: 34.1 × 22.3 cm (13 7/16 × 8 3/4 in.)
2002.50.45
Courtiers who supported prince Shiruy’s bid for the throne pressured him to slay his father, the captive Khusraw Parviz. Shiruy, although distressed by the idea, was too weak to stand up to his nobles; they hired an assassin, whom Firdawsi describes as a hideous man named Mihr Hurmuzd. When Mihr Hurmuzd entered the palace where Khusraw Parviz was imprisoned, the king was appalled by the repellent creature who would bring about his death. He ordered his servant to bring fresh clothes and water and, after washing and praying, put on the clothes and covered his face with a cloak to avoid seeing his ugly murderer. Immediately Mihr Hurmuzd, dagger in hand, locked the chamber doors and stabbed the king in the chest.
The painting captures the dramatic climax of the story, showing Khusraw on his bed and, atop him, Mihr Hurmuzd in the act of stabbing. Khusraw wears a crown; his face, contrary to what the text says, is not covered. The appearance of the assassin likewise diverges from the textual description: he wears ordinary fifteenth-century court dress, and only his exposed legs indicate his lowly status. The royal chamber in which the scene takes place is decorated with wall paintings, tilework, a carpet, and various types of geometric ornament.
Mika M. Natif
Publication History
- Mary McWilliams, ed., In Harmony: The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art, exh. cat., Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge, MA, 2013), pp. 220-221, cat. 69, ill.
Exhibition History
Verification Level
This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu