"The Combat of Tus and Human," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
ca. 1330–40
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
Page: H. 7 15/16 in. (20.2 cm) W. 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm) Painting: H. 1 9/16 in. (3.9 cm) W. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
Accession Number
1974.290.11
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the epic world of Persia's national treasure, the *Shahnama* (Book of Kings), with this vibrant folio titled *"The Combat of Tus and Human* Created around 1330–40, this page from an illuminated manuscript captures a thrilling battle scene between two formidable warriors, surrounded by charging soldiers and rearing horses. Authored by the legendary poet Abu'l Qasim Firdausi in early 11th century, the *Shahnama* chronicles Iran's mythical kings and heroes, blending history, legend, and moral tales in over 50,000 couplets. Manuscripts like this one, produced in the Ilkhanid era under Mo...
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...