The Court of Gayumars
The artist
Sultan Muhammad, a great Persian miniature painter who worked for the royal court about 500 years ago.
What you see
A tiny, detailed painting showing the first legendary king, Gayumars, seated high above his people who wear leopard skins.
The story
It illustrates a page from the Shahnameh, the great Persian 'Book of Kings', a long poem full of heroes and legends.
The style
A miniature is a very small painting done with fine brushes, glowing colors, and shimmering gold, made to sit inside a book.
Look closer
Hidden among the rocks and clouds are many little faces of people and animals, waiting for a sharp eye to find them.
Where to see it
This page is held in the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, as part of a famous royal book of paintings.
Fun fact
Even though it is small enough to hold in your hands, artists sometimes spent months painting every tiny flower and face.