Tahmuras Defeats the Divs - Sultan Muhammad

A classic Persian miniature by Sultan Muhammad, depicting the legendary King Tahmuras in battle against the Divs.

This miniature painting depicts the mythical King Tahmuras in combat with the Divs, a race of demonic beings. It originates from the Shahnameh, the Persian Book of Kings, commissioned by Shah Tahmasp I. Sultan Muhammad, a master of the Safavid court workshop in Tabriz, executed this work during the early sixteenth century. The composition organises the narrative across a vertical plane, typical of the period, where the action unfolds amidst stylised, multi-coloured rock formations and flowering trees.

The artist employs a high-chroma palette, using gold leaf to illuminate the background and sky. The figures of the king and his retinue are rendered with precision, contrasting with the grotesque, anthropomorphic forms of the Divs. The scene captures a moment of dynamic movement, as horses gallop and warriors engage in battle. The inclusion of Persian calligraphy in the upper and lower panels frames the visual narrative, integrating text and image into a unified page design. This work demonstrates the technical mastery of the Tabriz school, where the application of pigment and gold leaf creates a sense of decorative order. The figures are arranged to guide the eye through the various stages of the conflict, maintaining a balance between the chaotic nature of the battle and the structured composition of the page. The attention to detail in the clothing, armour, and natural elements reflects the aesthetic priorities of the Safavid royal library, where such manuscripts were produced for the elite.