Harvard Art Museums > 2002.50.142: Double page: The Trial by Fire of Siyavush (painting, verso; text, recto), right-hand side of a double-page painting from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi Manuscripts Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Double page: The Trial by Fire of Siyavush (painting, verso; text, recto), right-hand side of a double-page painting from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi , 2002.50.142,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Nov 21, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/96961. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 2002.50.142 Title Double page: The Trial by Fire of Siyavush (painting, verso; text, recto), right-hand side of a double-page painting from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi Classification Manuscripts Work Type manuscript folio Date 1575-1590 Places Creation Place: Middle East, Iran, Shiraz Period Safavid period Culture Persian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/96961 Physical Descriptions Medium Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper Dimensions 42.8 x 28.3 cm (16 7/8 x 11 1/8 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History [Mansour Gallery, London, 1990 or 1992], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (1990 or 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 2002.50.142 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description This painting is part of a double-page composition that depicts the redemption of prince Siyavush, son of the Iranian king Kay Kavus. When Siyavush rebuffed the advances of his stepmother, Sudaba, she accused him of attempting to rape her. The king, after conducting an inconclusive investigation, asked both Sudaba and Siyavush to undergo a trial by fire. Sudaba refused; Siyavush agreed and emerged from the burning pyre unscathed and triumphant. The painting on the left shows Siyavush galloping on his black horse through the engulfing flames. The king, also mounted, watches intently from the rocks above. On the right is the brightly tiled royal palace, from which Sudaba, finger to mouth, peers down in amazement. Wide illuminated borders, here consisting of geometric compartments, surround the composition. Published Catalogue Text: In Harmony: The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art , written 201396 A–B Double page: The Trial by Fire of Siyavush A. Verso: text and illustration (of Sudaba watching from palace) Folio: 42.8 × 28.3 cm (16 7/8 × 11 1/8 in.) 2002.50.142 B. Recto: text and illustration (of Siyavush riding through the fire) Folio: 42.8 × 28.3 cm (16 7/8 × 11 1/8 in.) 2002.50.143 This double-page composition depicts the redemption of prince Siyavush, son of the Iranian king Kay Kavus. When Siyavush rebuffed the advances of his stepmother, Sudaba, she accused him of attempting to rape her. The king, after conducting an inconclusive investigation, asked both Sudaba and Siyavush to undergo a trial by fire. Sudaba refused; Siyavush agreed and emerged from the burning pyre unscathed and triumphant. The painting on the left shows Siyavush galloping on his black horse through the engulfing flames. The king, also mounted, watches intently from the rocks above. On the right is the brightly tiled royal palace, from which Sudaba, finger to mouth, peers down in amazement. Wide illuminated borders, here consisting of geometric compartments, surround the composition. 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), p. 238, cat. 96A, ill. Exhibition History In Harmony: The Norma Jean Calderwood Collection of Islamic Art, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/31/2013 - 06/01/2013 32Q: 2550 Islamic, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 05/05/2022 - 10/31/2022 Related Works 2002.50.143 Double page: The Trial by Fire of Siyavush (painting, verso; text, recto), left-hand side of a double-page painting from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi Manuscripts 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