"Gustaham Slays Lahhak and Farshidvard", Folio 349v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
ca. 1525–30
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
Dimensions
Painting: H. 6 3/4 in. (17.2 cm) W. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm) Entire Page: H. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm) W. 12 9/16 in. (31.9 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
Accession Number
1970.301.47
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant folio, "Gustaham Slayshak and Farshid" (Folio 349v), comes from the magnificent *Shahnama* (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp the crowning achievement of Safavid Persian manuscript art around 1525–30. Attributed to the skilled illustrator Bashdan Qara, illustrates a dramatic episode from Abu'l Qasim Firda's epic poem, where the hero Gustaham defeats his foes in battle. Amidst rearing horses and drawn bows, the scene pulses with the heroic valor central to Persian mythology, capturing a pivotal moment of triumph and chaos. Crafted in opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper,...
About the Artist
Bashdan Qara|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian|Iranian) · 1500 |0935 –1560 |1020
Iranian, active ca. 1525–1535|Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus