"Rustam Saved by his Horse Rakhsh from an Attacking Lion", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi

Art Historical Context

This vibrant folio from a late 15th-century Shahnama captures a thrilling moment from the Persian epic poem by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi. In the scene, the legendary hero Rustam lies asleep while his faithful horse Rakhsh fiercely battles an attacking lion, showcasing themes of loyalty, courage, and destiny central to the Book of Kings. The dynamic composition draws viewers into the dramatic action, with the animals' intense struggle framed by elegant Persian manuscript traditions. Created with ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper, the work exemplifies the refined techniques of Islamic manuscript illumination. Delicate brushwork and luminous gold accents highlight the figures against a richly patterned background, a medium that allowed stories to be preserved and shared across generations in codex form. Such illustrations transformed the epic into a visual experience, blending narrative power with artistic beauty. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Islamic Art collection, this page reflects the cultural importance of the Shahnama in Persian heritage. Produced during a period when illuminated manuscripts flourished, it offers visitors a glimpse into how art and literature intertwined to celebrate heroic ideals and national identity.

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...