Shah-nama of Muhammad Juki, Herat, c. 1440: The Battle between Gav and Talhand who swoons on his Elephant

The miniatures in this manuscript are on a much smaller scale than those in the Baysunghur manuscripts, painted with great skill in enamel colours, the figures dwarfed by the brilliance of the landscape. The artists show far greater interest in the natural world, so that it takes over the function of dramatic setting, trees are more windswept etc. Human figures are still generally stiff, especially when on horseback, but there is less monotony in stance or movement, and in this battle scene a definitive advance towards more complex composition. -- 9 x 5.25"