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Rustam and Sohrab

Unknown

1550

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Renaissance

Dominant colour

Rustam and Sohrab is a 1550 paint by Unknown, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1550
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a chaotic battle scene with lots of people on horseback and foot. Bright colors like reds, blues, and greens fill the image, and the figures are dressed in flowing robes and armor. The background has trees, hills, and a dark sky, while the edges of the picture are decorated with intricate black patterns. The scene looks like it’s from a story, with one man on horseback fighting another in the foreground. The text at the top might be part of the title or a poem related to the scene. If you’re curious about who this was made for, look up the subject: made for prince salim.

The story of this work

Overview

The painting is an opaque watercolor on paper, created around 1550 as an illustration for the 10th-century Persian *Shahnameh* by Ferdowsi, depicting the moment Rustam kills his son Sohrab in battle without recognizing him.

Read the full account in the museum source.