"Rustam Saved by his Horse Rakhsh from an Attacking Lion", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
late 15th century
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
Page: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm) W. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm) Image: H. 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm) W. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 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
Rogers Fund, 1913
Accession Number
13.160.6
Tags
Art Historical Context
This vibrant folio from a late 15th-century Shahnama captures a thrilling moment from the Persian epic poem by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. In the scene, the legendary hero Rustam lies asleep while his faithful horse Rakhsh fiercely battles an attacking lion, showcasing themes of loyalty, courage, and destiny central to the Book of Kings. The dynamic composition draws viewers into the dramatic action, with the animals' intense struggle framed by elegant Persian manuscript traditions. Created with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, the work exemplifies the refined techniques of Islamic manusc...
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...