"Isfandiyar's Fourth Course: He Slays a Sorceress", Folio 435v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Art Historical Context

This exquisite folio comes from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, one of the most magnificent illustrated manuscripts ever created in Persia. Produced around 1525–30 during the early Safavid dynasty, the volume recounts the epic poem by Abu’l Qasimdausi, chronicling Iran’s legendary heroes and kings. The scene captures a dramatic moment from the adventures of the hero Isfandiyar, who confronts and slays a cunning sorceress during his seven trials—an episode rich with themes of courage, magic, and destiny drawn from ancient Persian storytelling traditions. Painted in opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, the miniature exemplifies the refined techniques of Safavid court artists such as Qasim ibn ‘Ali and Aqa Mirak. Delicate brushwork, vibrant mineral pigments, and lavish gold accents bring the dynamic encounter to life, with the figures set against a lush landscape that draws the viewer into the narrative. Such manuscripts were prized not only as literary treasures but also as symbols of royal patronage and cultural prestige. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this folio offers a vivid window into sixteenth-century Persian aesthetics and the enduring power of the Shahnama as a cornerstone of Iranian identity. Its intricate details reward close looking, revealing both the skill of its creators and the timeless allure of epic tales.

About the Artist

Qasim ibn 'Ali|Abu'l Qasim Firdausi|Aqa Mirak (Iranian|Iranian) · 1500 |0935 –1585 |1020

Iranian, active ca. 1525–60|Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus