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"The Four Knights of Kai Khusrau in the Mountains", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Patron Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din Iranian
dated 741 AH/1341 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 450
One of the stories of the Shahnama tells of the Shah Kai Khusrau, riding off into the mountains and disappearing in the snow. When his knights realize he is missing, they set off to find him. As they stop to rest, however, a snowstorm descends and they perish in their sleep. This painting depicts the four companions and their horses amid the mountain peaks, which appear as though in miniature.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Four Knights of Kai Khusrau in the Mountains", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Calligrapher: Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn (?) Husaini, known as al-Mausili
  • Patron: Commissioned by al-Hasan Qawam al-Daula wa'l-Din (Iranian, ca. 1303–1357 Shiraz)
  • Date: dated 741 AH/1341 CE
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Shiraz
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
    W. 11 5/16 in. (28.7 cm)
    Painting: H. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)
    W. 9 5/16 in. (23.6 cm)
    Mat: H. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
    W. 16 in. (40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1936
  • Object Number: 36.113.2
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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