"Bahram Gur Slays a Dragon", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1305 - 1365

This folio from a Shahnama, or Book of Kings, depicts the hero Bahram Gur slaying a dragon. It was painted in Persia, now Iran, some time around the fourteenth century. The Shahnama is an epic poem recounting the history of Persia. It was commissioned in around 1000 AD by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna, as a record of Persian national identity. Its stories of legendary kings and heroes provided a cultural touchstone in a region often subject to foreign rule. This particular illustration comes from a later, lavishly illustrated edition, likely commissioned by a wealthy patron to demonstrate their own cultural sophistication. The vibrant colors and detailed figures are typical of Persian miniature painting. Historians would examine such details, alongside the text of the Shahnama, to better understand the social and political context in which this image was created and how art was used to convey meaning and power.