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In the miniature, the pitiful figure of the young prince is depicted kneeling with a naked head in front of the dais on which the shah sits. The intercession of the elders is expressed by expressive facial expressions and gestures. The appearance of Hormuzd resembles the iconographic image of Sultan Husayn, and the character with a dark beard in a brown robe, standing, has features of the appearance of Alisher Navoi, the poet and vizier of Sultan Husayn. These features are known from the portrait of Navoi by the Bukhara artist Mahmud Muzaakhib, and Sultan Husayn from his portrait attributed to Behzad.
This miniature is interesting because it indirectly reflects recent political events – the uprising of Husayn's eldest son Badi al-Zaman against his father in 1496, when he was appointed governor of Balkh, but the Sultan gave his former possession, which he also wanted to keep – Gorgan, to his another son. Badi al-Zaman raised a rebellion against his father, was defeated, but later forgiven and was able to keep Balkh. Alisher Navoi took an active part in their reconciliation.
Thus, Behzad, creating an illustration for a poetic work, gave it a modern political coloring. At the same time, this is one of the techniques of the master, in the portrait-painting revealing the generosity of the patron.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "The legacy of Kamal ud-din Behzad in the World Collections" (L volume) in the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections".
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