"Rustam Carrying the King of Mazandaran to Kai Kavus", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

ca. 1430–40

Not on view

The matchless Rustam persuaded Shah Kai Kavus that Iran would be disgraced if war were not made on Mazandaran and its arrogant div king humbled. In the course of a mightly battle Rustam espied the enemy king, charged him and pierced his mail with a spear. Before he could be killed, however, the div, by his magic arts, turned himself into a stone. Only Rustam was strong enough to lift the rock and carry it to the Iranian shah. He then threatened to break the rock to bits unless the div resumed his own shape. When he complies, Kai Kavus saw that he was not worthy of kingship and ordered him executed. The artist has unequivocally rendered the might of the hero Rustam, shown larger than other figures and further dramatized by his pictured progress along the top of a foreground's ridge. The shah is shown, not before his tent as described in the epic, but sitting regally upon a white horse under a grand royal umbrella.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: "Rustam Carrying the King of Mazandaran to Kai Kavus", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
Date: ca. 1430–40
Geography: Attributed to India
Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions: Image: H. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
W. 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm)
Page: H. 12 5/8 in. (32.1 cm)
W. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920
Object Number: 20.120.244
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"The Murder of Iraj," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper — "The Murder of Iraj," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
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"Zahhak Brought as a Prisoner before Faridun", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper — "Zahhak Brought as a Prisoner before Faridun", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
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