Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

"Elias and Khizr at the Fountain of Life', Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
late 15th century
Not on view
Alexander the Great figures prominently in Persian literature and histories, including in both the Shahnama and the Khamsa of Nizami. This scene, which occurs in both texts, depicts Alexander and the Prophet Khizr’s search for the Fountain of Life. Although they begin the journey together, they are separated and only Khizr is successful. Here, he appears with the Prophet Elias at the Fountain, while Alexander continues his search in the background.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Elias and Khizr at the Fountain of Life', Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: late 15th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Overall:
    H. 9 in. (22.9 cm)
    W. 3 9/16 in. (9 cm)
    Painting: H. 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm)
    W. 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956
  • Object Number: 57.51.28
  • 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
Turban Helmet, Steel, iron, silver, copper alloy, Western Iranian, in the style of Turkman armor
Turban Helmet
Western Iranian, in the style of Turkman armor
late 15th century
"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
"Jonah and the Whale", Folio Probably from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles), Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
"Jonah and the Whale", Folio Probably from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)
ca. 1400
"The Funeral of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"The Funeral of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
1330s

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.