'Bahram Gur Pins The Coupling Onagers', is a painting by the Persian portraitist and miniature painter, Mir Sayyid Ali. Ali, who took up the profession under his father Mir Musavvir's tutelage, is said to have influenced the 'Mughal' school of painting, with his works under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, Humayun and Akbar. The painting, 'Bahram Gur Pins The Coupling Onagers', one of his earlier works from his time under Shah Tahmasp I's patronage, is said to have been inked around 1530-1535 AD. The work appears in Folio 568r of the 'Shahnameh' (The Book of Kings), the National Epic of Iran as well as the most fully illustrated manuscript of the text ever produced. It depicts the Sasanian Emperor Bahram V, or 'Bahram Gur' as he was more widely known, and the story of his onager hunt. The work showcases the emperor in gorgeously painted green hunting garb, with delicate lines and intricate detail. His figure on horseback, armed with a bow and arrows, is surrounded by a large party of horsemen. The background of the painting is a lush natural one, with the stream, flowers, bushes and trees in bright, pure colouring, a characteristic of Persian Miniature painting. The emperor is depicted with only three quarters of his face showing, and perspectival depth is absent, two distinctly Persian stylistic approaches. As the story goes, Emperor Bahram had shot an arrow at a buck coupling with his mate, effectively trapping them together, on this onager hunt. This earned him the nickname 'Bahram Gur' or 'Onager Bahram'. The painting, 'Bahram Gur Pins The Coupling Onagers', weaves colours and stories together effectively and masterfully. The painting, serves to highlight Mir Sayyid Ali's proficiency over the art of the Persian Miniature that has endured the test of time.
"Bahram Gur Pins The Coupling Onagers" is a fine example of Persian miniature painting. The bright colouring is visually appealing to the viewers and is a characteristic feature of Persian stylistic approach. Mir Sayyid Ali did a wonderful job in executing the painting techniques followed in Persian miniature paintings.
