Rustam in the Dead of Winter, 2009
In many of his works, Ave explores the story of Rustam, the central male hero from the Shahnama, who repeatedly triumphs in battle and love. In this piece, Ave likens Rustam to a modern-day Iranian wrestler from the traditional zurkhana (in Persian "house of power"). Instead of showing him triumphant, however, he depicts him as lost, wandering through a bleak landscape. The sky is punctuated with dripping red paint and birds, suggestive both of death and ancient Persia’s iconic bird, faravahar. The piece is a meditation on the Iranian male identity and chivalry.
Artwork Details
- Title: Rustam in the Dead of Winter, 2009
- Artist: Fereydoun Ave (Iranian, born Tehran, 1945)
- Date: 2009
- Geography: Made in Iran
- Medium: Mixed media and print on canvas
- Dimensions: Unframed:
H. 39 1/8 in. (99.4 cm)
W. 58 3/4 in. (149.2 cm)
D. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, 2011 NoRuz at The Met Benefit, 2013
- Object Number: 2013.1142
- Rights and Reproduction: © Fereydoun Ave
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
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.