BAHRAM GUR KILLS A RHINO IN INDIA
FROM A MANUSCRIPT OF SHAHNAMEH (THE BOOK OF KINGS)
Accession Number: AKM54
Creator: Firdausi (d. 1020)
Place: Shiraz, Iran
Dimensions: Date: 1494
Materials and Technique: Opaque watercolour, ink, gold, and silver on paper
Bahram Gur, the fifth Sasanian king (r. 420–38), was praised for his military expertise and hunting skills. The king of India asked to use his bow and arrows to kill an enormous rhinoceros causing trauma in his land. Since rhinos are not native to Iran, the Iranian artist of this painting had to draw one from his imagination, based on what he had heard about this animal: similar to a horse, with a unique horn.
Source: Aga Khan Museum