Behzad or Bihzad (died ca. 1530) is considered the most important painter of Persia in a period when the country produced many great painters.

Unfortunately, important as Behzad was, there is no record of his birth or death and very little information about his life. We know that he was a painter at the court of Sultan Hoseyn Beyqara, head of the principality of Herat (now in Afghanistan). Apparently Behzad was an orphan, and Mirak, the chief painter and director of the library of the court of Sultan Hoseyn, adopted and trained him. From childhood Behzad was acquainted with poets and artists such as Jami and Navayi. Sultan Hoseyn, who was an accomplished poet himself, recognized Behzad's genius and chose him to succeed Mirak as court painter and director of the library.

Behzad painted in Herat from about 1480 to 1505. At that time Herat and the whole northeastern region were...