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"Caesar Gives his Daughter Katayun to Gushtasp", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
ca. 1330–40
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
In the court of Rum (the Roman Empire) it was customary for a princess to select her husband from among the assembled nobles. Katayun chose Gushtasp, whom she had seen in a dream. Her father Caesar was dismayed, not realizing that Gushtasp was actually a Persian prince since he was traveling incognito. At the right a wise counselor, identifiable by his turban, reassures Caesar but the scene is dominated by the charmingly posed princess telling her happy news to a lady-in-waiting as a doorkeeper eavesdrops.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Caesar Gives his Daughter Katayun to Gushtasp", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Date: ca. 1330–40
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, probably Isfahan
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm)
    W. 4 3/16 in. (10.6 cm)
    Page: H. 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm)
    W. 5 5/16 in. (13.5 cm)
    Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
    W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
  • Object Number: 1974.290.22
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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