The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

Bahram Visits the White Domed Pavilion on Friday, illustrated with text in Khamsa of Nizami (verso), from a Haft Paykar (Seven Portraits) of Nizami

Bahram Visits the White Domed Pavilion on Friday, illustrated with text in Khamsa of Nizami (verso), from a Haft Paykar (Seven Portraits) of Nizami

c. 1560–80
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The wife recounts a tale with dancing fairies, suggested by the girl dancing to music in the foreground of the painting.

Description

The Haft Paykar is an epic romantic poem that tells the story of the Sasanian king, Bahram Gur (ruled AD 420–38). The story relates how the king had an architect construct seven domed pavilions with different colors for each of his seven beautiful brides who came from different parts of the world. On each day of the week, the king visited one princess and enjoyed her company. In the center of this scene, sits Bahram and his bride from Iran dressed in resplendent white garments. Attendants bring them food and drink, while a dancer and an ensemble of musicians entertains them.
  • ?-2006
    William Kelly Simpson [1928-2017], Katonah, NY, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2006-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Main gallery rotation (gallery 116). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (December 16, 2015-December 19, 2016) (2006.146.a).
    Islamic art rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 3, 2012-December 9, 2013).
  • {{cite web|title=Bahram Visits the White Domed Pavilion on Friday, illustrated with text in Khamsa of Nizami (verso), from a Haft Paykar (Seven Portraits) of Nizami|url=false|author=|year=c. 1560–80|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2006.146