"Isfandiyar's Fourth Course: He Slays a Sorceress", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi
ca. 1330–40
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
Page: H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm) W. 5 3/8 in. (13.6 cm) Painting: H. 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm) W. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm) Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm) W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
Accession Number
1974.290.27
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite folio from a *Shahnama* ( of Kings), the poem by Abu'l Qasim Firda completed around 1010, captures the dramatic moment of "Isfandiyar's Fourth Course: Heays a Sorceress." to circa 1330–40, it hails from the golden age of Persian manuscript illumination, likely produced in a royal workshop during the Ilkhanid period in Iran. The *Shahnama* chronicles Iran's mythical kings and heroes, blending history, legend, and moral tales; here, the armored prince Isfandiyar confronts a treacherous sorceress as part of his seven perilous trials ordered by King Goshtasp. Rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, the miniature exemplifies Persian painting's mastery of vibrant hues and intricate details within a compact format— the painting measures just 1 13/16 by 4 1/4 inches. Gold accents shimmer on architectural elements and costumes, while silver adds luster to water or armor. Tags reveal a lively scene with horses charging, men in combat, women (perhaps the sorceress and attendants), lutes hinting at enchantment, and even ducks, symbolizing the otherworldly realm. The flattened perspective and rhythmic composition draw viewers into the heroic narrative. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department, this bequest from Monroe C. Gutman in 1974 highlights the cultural prestige of *Shahnama* manuscripts, which served as treasures for rulers and patrons, preserving Iran's pre-Islamic heritage amid Mongol influences. A testament to artistry's power to immortalize epic valor!
About the Artist
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi · 935–1020
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, born around 940 in the village of Paj near Tus in Khorasan (modern-day Iran), emerged from a family of landed gentry known as dehqans, who preserved ancient Iranian oral traditions amid the cultural renaissance of the Samanid Empire. Little is documented about his early life or formal training, though he likely received a basic education including Arabic literacy, immersing h...