Final answer:
The book with 250 pictures about the history of Persia begun in 1527 is the Shahnama, also known as the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1527, artists began work on painting 250 pictures about the history of Persia in a book called the Shahnama, or Book of Kings. This prominent work was commissioned by rulers and courtiers to affiliate themselves with the heroic past of Iran, and the most celebrated instance of such a manuscript is the Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp. Notably, this illustrated version of Ferdowsi's epic poem encompasses over 250 paintings, making it a pinnacle of Persian art and manuscript illumination during the Safavid era. The artists employed striking silver and gold accents over ink and watercolors, which were not only artistic masterpieces but also expressions of the patron's power and affluence. The Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp stands as a testament to the high value placed on the art of bookmaking and painting in Persian culture, particularly during Safavid rule.