A FOLIO FROM A MANUSCRIPT OF THE SHAHNAME BY FIRDAWSI, ALEXANDER COMFORTING THE DYING DARA, PERSIA, CIRCA 1570

Iskandar (Alexander the Great) and Dara (Darius, ruler of the Achaemenid empire), had waged war against each other for three years. While the Iranian forces were in retreat, Dara was stabbed by two of his ministers, Mahiyar and Janusiyar, who expected a reward from Iskandar. But Iskandar, who had just learned that he was Dara’s half-brother, rushed to the scene of the attack and tenderly comforted his mortally wounded opponent. In the center of this painting, Dara lies dying, his head cradled by Iskandar. At left the two traitorous officers, Mahiyar and Janusiyar, are shown bound, Iskandar has assured Dara that he will have them executed. Encircling the death scene are the mournful and bewildered entourages of the two rulers.The tragic scene takes place against a colorful background painted in light mauve, and ochre; the flowers of the landscape offset the grimness of the human drama. Text: 19.5 by 16 cm. Folio: 29 by 20 cm.