Shahnameh of

Shortly after his glorious accession, our ruler ordered the creation of a royal Shahnameh. The production of this great book of 759 pages and 258 paintings by the leading masters of the our ruler's library was to continue for the next two decades. Its pages reflect the development of painting during the early part of our ruler's reign, as a manuscript as large as the Shahnameh utilizes the skills of a wide range of painters, calligraphers, and artistic directors. Particularly famous are the folios by the esteemed painter Sultan Muhammad, whose work shows the emergence of a measured synthesis of Behzadian reason and Turkmen energy. With its meticulous detail, unparalleled draftsmanship, energetic composition, and brilliant colors, Sultan Muhammad's famous rendering of the Court of Gayumars was given special praise, for it was regarded as the zenith of painting, for the hearts of the boldest painters were grieved, and they hung their head in shame before it.