Hundred Great Muslims

280 Hundred Great Muslims
Kamaluddin Behzad was born in Herat before 1450 A.C., and died after
1520 A.C. He is said to be a disciple of Amir Ruhullah alias Mir Naqqash of
Herat. According to another version, Behzad, who had lost his father in his
childhood, was a disciple of Pir Syed Ahmad Tabrizi. First of all, he was
employed with Mir Ali Sher, Minister of Sultan Husain Mirza. Later he got
employment with Sultan Husain Mirza, the last of the Timurid monarchs who,
himself possessing versatile taste, was a great patron of artists and scholars. He
was made Head of the Herat Academy.
When Tabriz was taken over by Shah Ismail, he invited Behzad to Tabriz
and employed him. The Shah was very kind to him, appointed him his Chief
librarian in 1522 and covered him with honours. He was equally honoured
during the reign of Shah Tahmasp, successor of Shah Ismail.
He died in Tabriz in 154647 and was buried there.
Behzad who represents the zenith of the Mongol and the beginning of the
Safawid period in Persian painting was a reformer in treatment of landscapes
which are more real and natural in his works. In the choice of subjects, too, he
is more realistic than his predecessors. He "understood, how, even in the most
populous compositions, to differentiate every single figure in countenance and
bearing; his palette was extraordinarily rich, especially in warm, full tones,
and this enabled him to individualise his portraits by the employment of
numerous colours-nuances for costumes and even for flesh" (Encyclopaedia
Britannica). He revolted against the dictates of the calligraphers and admitted
no text at all. At times he has given only a few lines of verse at one corner of
the illustrated pages.
His works also contain exquisitely drawn double-page miniatures. According
to Khan Damir, Behzad possessed great refinement, minute perfection and
power of life-like representation. Kazi Ahmad marks his sense of proportion and
mentions the excellence of his bird images and avers that he was fluent in
charcoal drawings.
Behzad was universally acclaimed as the greatest master of Persian art
during his lifetime. He was a great miniaturist. He excels in drawing living
figures. He has illustrated many masterpieces of Persian poetry, including that
of Nizami. According to the Mughal Emperor Babar, Behzad's art was exceptionally
fme. He excelled in drawing bearded faces but not the beardless ones
as he exaggerates the length of double chin. (BabarNama).
The Mughal Emperors of India were great admirers of Behzad's art. They
had adorned their libraries anc palaces with Behzad'sworks. They paid Rs. 3,000
to Rs. 5,000 for each picture drawn by Behzad. Emperor Jahangir particularly
has great liking for Behzad's art, specially those depicting battle scenes. He adds
that Behzad's creations are full of life and his battle scenes are extremely vivid
and lively.