ticketsMember | Make a donation

"Zahhak is Told His Fate", Folio 29v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Sultan Muhammad Iranian
ca. 1524
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
The evil king Zahhak faints when his wise men reveal the meaning of his nightmare: that one Faridun, as yet unborn, will justly bring about his downfall and death. The logical disposition of figures in space reflects the influence of the late Timurid Herat School of painting, whereas the bending rosebush and snail-like clouds at the right derive from Turkmen painting as practiced at Tabriz. The animated characterizations, however, are typical of the work of Sultan Muhammad, head of the royal workshop.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Zahhak is Told His Fate", Folio 29v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Artist: Painting attributed to Sultan Muhammad (Iranian, active first half 16th century)
  • Date: ca. 1524
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting:
    H. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)
    W. 12 15/16 in. (32.9 cm)
    Page:
    H. 12 9/16 in. (31.9 cm)
    W. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)
    Mat:
    H. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
    W. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.4
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
"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
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
late 15th century
"Rustam Kills Isfandiyar with a Double Pointed Arrow", Folio from a Shahnama, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
"Rustam Kills Isfandiyar with a Double Pointed Arrow", Folio from a Shahnama
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
15th century
"Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand", Folio from a Shahnama, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque water color and gold on paper
"Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand", Folio from a Shahnama
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
15th century
"Fifth Joust, The Death of Simurgh by the Hands of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, gold and metallic paint, and watercolor on paper
"Fifth Joust, The Death of Simurgh by the Hands of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
16th century
"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
last quarter 15th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

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.