Aulad Tied to a Plane Tree — Shahnama

A man in a vibrant red robe stands with his hands bound behind his back, secured to the trunk of a large plane tree. The scene is set in a rocky, stylized landscape typical of Safavid-era Persian painting, with a horse grazing nearby at the bottom of the frame. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the saturated colors of the figure's clothing and the intricate, mineral-toned rock formations that surround him.

As an illustration from the Shahnama (Book of Kings), this work is central to the Persian epic tradition, which serves as a primary source for the cultural, historical, and mythological identity of the Iranian world. Its themes of kingship, trial, and heroism are essential to understanding the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of Persian intellectual history.