"The Combat of Tus and Human," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
ca. 1330–40
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
Page: H. 7 15/16 in. (20.2 cm) W. 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm) Painting: H. 1 9/16 in. (3.9 cm) W. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Monroe C. Gutman, 1974
Accession Number
1974.290.11
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the epic world of Persia's national treasure, the *Shahnama* (Book of Kings), with this vibrant folio titled *"The Combat of Tus and Human* Created around 1330–40, this page from an illuminated manuscript captures a thrilling battle scene between two formidable warriors, surrounded by charging soldiers and rearing horses. Authored by the legendary poet Abu'l Qasim Firdausi in early 11th century, the *Shahnama* chronicles Iran's mythical kings and heroes, blending history, legend, and moral tales in over 50,000 couplets. Manuscripts like this one, produced in the Ilkhanid era under Mongol-influenced Persian patronage, were luxury objects for elite audiences, showcasing the era's mastery of storytelling through art. Rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper, the miniature painting measures just 1 9/16 by 4 1/4 inches—tiny yet dynamic. The opaque watercolors create bold, flat colors and intricate details, while gold and silver add a luminous, jewel-like quality, typical of Persian illumination techniques. Horses and figures twist in fierce combat, embodying the *Shahnama*'s themes of bravery and destiny. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art Department, this folio highlights the codex tradition, where text and image intertwined to bring ancient epics alive. As a bequest from Monroe C. Gutman in 1974, it invites us to marvel at how 14th-century artists transformed poetry into visual spectacle, preserving Iran's cultural heritage for centuries.
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...