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An Emaciated Horse Led by His Master

late 16th century
Not on view
A man with a water skin or possibly a saddle slung over his shoulder leads an emaciated horse across a rocky, semi-arid landscape. The bony horse is being attacked by crows, which peck at two points on its back. In mystical terms, the horse represents mortality, broken down and advancing toward death, while the man leading it proceeds unaware of his ultimate fate. The anonymous artist has used touches of red ink on the horse’s lead and the wounds on its back.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: An Emaciated Horse Led by His Master
  • Date: late 16th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm)
    W. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George D. Pratt, 1935
  • Object Number: 45.174.11
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"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
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
"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
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Qasim ibn 'Ali
ca. 1530
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi
`Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi
late 15th century
Tughra (Insignia) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66), Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Tughra (Insignia) of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520–66)
ca. 1555–60
Khusrau and Shirin, Hatifi Iranian, active Istanbul, Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; binding: leather
Khusrau and Shirin
Hatifi
Suzi
dated 904 AH/1498–99 CE

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