Page 76 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

the left and an enthroned prince on the right, following the with five-petaled rosettes instead of his usual leopard-skin
traditional formula. It is intricately composed, with numerous outfit, he sits on a bench covered with a tiger skin. Pairs of
figures actively participating in the two events. seated and standing figures line the edges of the scene; in the
The volume contains fifty-seven paintings, which reveal the center are attendants with bowls of food and men training
hands of at least four artists. The majority appear to have wild animals. The landscape is filled with clusters of leaves
been made by the painter who represented the court of Ga- and flowers, blossoming trees, tufts of grass, and rocks; also
yumars, the first ruler of Iran. This scene (32), framed by an included are several lions and sheep, and a solitary fox and
arch composed of craggy rocks, shows Gayumars at the top gazelle. Some of the figures feed the animals or pet them.
with a lion crouched at his feet; attired in a robe decorated One raises a stick to a lion that cowers and holds its head

32. Court of Gayumars from the Cahname of Firdausi,
c. 1520-1530 (Istanbul, Topkapi Sarayí Müzesi, H.
1499, fol. 14a)

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