"Rustam's Seventh Course: He Kills the White Div", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Art Historical Context

This folio from the Shahnama, or Book of Kings, captures a dramatic moment from the Persian epic poem by Abu’l Qasim Firdausi. The scene depicts the hero Rustam slaying the White Div, a fearsome demon, as part of his legendary seven trials. Created in 1666–67 during the Safavid period, the page belongs to a long tradition of illustrated manuscripts that brought Iran’s national epic to life for royal and elite audiences. Painted by the artist Mu’in Musavvir in ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper, the work exemplifies the refined techniques of Persian miniature painting. The luminous metallic accents and delicate brushwork highlight the artist’s skill in rendering dynamic action within the intimate format of a codex page. Such manuscripts were often produced in royal workshops, serving both as literary treasures and visual storytelling devices. Today in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of Islamic art, this folio offers visitors a vivid window into 17th-century Persian culture, where epic tales of heroism, courage, and moral struggle continued to inspire artistic expression centuries after Firdausi composed the poem.

About the Artist

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi|Mu'in Musavvir · 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...