"Kai Kavus Falls from the Sky", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
ca. 1330–40
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
Painting: H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm) W. 4 5/16 in. (10.9 cm) Page: H. 8 1/8 in. (20.7 cm) W. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm) Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
Accession Number
1974.290.9
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the dramatic scene of *"Kai Kavus Falls from Sky"*, a exquisite folio from a *Shahnama* (Book of Kings), the monumental Persian epic poem by Abu'l Qasim Firda, completed around 1010 CE. This miniature painting, created circa 1330–40, captures the mythical moment when the arrogant King Kay Kavus, strapped to a throne borne by eagles, plummets back to earth after his hubristic bid to reach the heavens. Rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, the tiny artwork (just 2¾ by 4⅜ inches) bursts with vibrant energy, showcasing the intricate world of Persian manuscript illum...
About the Artist
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi · 935–1020
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, born around 940 in the village of Paj near Tus in Khorasan (modern-day Iran), emerged from a family of landed gentry known as dehqans, who preserved ancient Iranian oral traditions amid the cultural renaissance of the Samanid Empire. Little is documented about his early life or formal training, though he likely received a basic education including Arabic literacy, immersing h...