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"How Rustam Found a Spring", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1300–30
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
The two miniatures 69.74.8 and 69.74.9 illustrate the first and second of Rustam's seven ordeals. The first depicts the frequently illustrated scene of Rustam's gallant horse Rakhsh killing a lion while the hero sleeps. The subject of the second miniature is, on the other hand, rarely depicted. Rustam and Rakhsh nearly die of heat and thirst in the desert before, with the help of divine providence, they find a spring. Rustam bathes and grooms his faithful steed by the water's edge, as seen here. The painter is very sympathetic to the closeness between the hero and his trustworthy Rakhsh.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "How Rustam Found a Spring", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: ca. 1300–30
  • Geography: Attributed to Northwestern Iran or Baghdad
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Text block:
    H. 6 1/16 in. (15.4 cm)
    W. 4 13/16 in. (12.2 cm)
    Painting:
    H. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm)
    W. 3 3/8 in. (8.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.74.8
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"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
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Painting attributed to Qasim ibn 'Ali
ca. 1530
"Rakhsh Kills a Lion while Rustam is Asleep", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
"Rakhsh Kills a Lion while Rustam is Asleep", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
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"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
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dated 931 AH/1524–25 CE
"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
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
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"Zal is Restored to his Father Sam by the Simurgh", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
"Zal is Restored to his Father Sam by the Simurgh", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
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