"The Lion-King Recruits the Ascetic Jackal", Folio from a Kalila wa Dimna
Unknown Artist
second quarter 16th century
Medium
Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions
Overall: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm) W. 8 7/8 in. (22.6 cm) Average text size: H. 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm) W. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Alice and Nasli Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Alice Heeramaneck, 1981
Accession Number
1981.373.86
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite folio, titled *"The Lion-King Recits the Ascetic Jack"*, comes from a 16th-century illustrated manuscript *Kalila wa Dim*, a renowned collection of animal fables originating from ancient Indian tales (Panchatantra) and adapted into Persian and Arabic literature. Dating to the second quarter of the 16 century, it captures a pivotal moment where the majestic lion-king persuades a wise, ascetic jackal to join his court, embodying timeless themes of cunning, loyalty, and moral counsel. Produced in the Islamic world, such manuscripts were prized for their didactic stories, blending e...