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"The Four Knights of Kai Khusrau in the Mountains", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Patron Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din Iranian
dated 741 AH/1341 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 450
One of the stories of the Shahnama tells of the Shah Kai Khusrau, riding off into the mountains and disappearing in the snow. When his knights realize he is missing, they set off to find him. As they stop to rest, however, a snowstorm descends and they perish in their sleep. This painting depicts the four companions and their horses amid the mountain peaks, which appear as though in miniature.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Four Knights of Kai Khusrau in the Mountains", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Calligrapher: Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn (?) Husaini, known as al-Mausili
  • Patron: Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din (Iranian, ca. 1303–1357 Shiraz)
  • Date: dated 741 AH/1341 CE
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Shiraz
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
    W. 11 5/16 in. (28.7 cm)
    Painting: H. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
    W. 9 5/16 in. (23.6 cm)
    Mat: H. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
    W. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1936
  • Object Number: 36.113.2
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
"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
Painting attributed to Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"Rustam Pleads for Tus Before Kai Khusrau," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Rustam Pleads for Tus Before Kai Khusrau," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Calligrapher Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn (?) Husaini, known as al-Mausili
Patron Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din
dated 741 AH/1341 CE
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Painting attributed to Miskin
1597–98
Dedicatory Inscription from a Mosque, Gabbro; carved
Dedicatory Inscription from a Mosque
dated 905 AH/1500 CE
"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

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