ticketsMember | Make a donation

Hero and Dragon

third quarter 16th century
Not on view
In a rocky landscape a hunter on horseback plunges his sword through the neck of a dragon that has sunk its fangs into a small deer. A pair of deer and two rabbits scatter in the foreground. With its blue tinted rocks and gold dragon's wings, this is a finished drawing, despite the narrative suggestion of its subject matter. Various heroes in the 'Shahnama', the Persian national epic, combat dragons, but this image evokes rather than illustrates these manly acts.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hero and Dragon
  • Date: third quarter 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Qazvin
  • Medium: Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 8 11/16 in. (22 cm)
    W. 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of George D. Pratt, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.83.7
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
"The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus", Folio from a Falnama (Book of Omens), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus", Folio from a Falnama (Book of Omens)
1550s
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"Isfandiyar's Third Course: He Slays a Dragon", Folio 434v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Qasim ibn 'Ali
ca. 1530
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi
`Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi
late 15th century
Tughra (Insignia) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Tughra (Insignia) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66)
ca. 1555–60

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.