The Battle Between Kay Khusraw and the King of Makran

Iran, Lahijan; 1494 Leaf: 34.5 × 24.5 cm
Within the colorful Turkmen painting done in western Iran in the 15th century, the “Big Head Shah-nama” is in a class of its own. Its name comes from the unusually monumental rendition of the figures in many of the miniatures, like this one. In addition, the scenes are exceptionally colorful and dynamic.
The manuscript was commissioned by Karkia Mirza Ali, a minor prince in the province of Gilan, south of the Caspian Sea. He made a name for himself in history by protecting the young Ismail, who was to found the Safavid dynasty a decade later.
Inventory number 22/1979
Source: The David Collection, Copenhagen, Denmark.