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"The Final Joust of the Rooks: Gudarz Versus Piran", Folio 346r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp

Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian
Painting attributed to Qasim ibn 'Ali Iranian
Workshop director Aqa Mirak Iranian
ca. 1525–30
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
The artist has captured the essentials of this tragic story with delicate sensitivity. The Iranian Gudarz has wounded the old Turanian warrior Piran, but in respect for his seasoned enemy, has offered him safe passage to the Turanian army. Piran, seen through a gap in the rocks, refuses this, preferring the inevitable warrior’s death to surrender. The grooms in the foreground frame the scene, in which the poses of the two adversaries—Gudarz in pursuit, Piran skulking up the mountain—give visual expression to the essential dilemma of the story.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Final Joust of the Rooks: Gudarz Versus Piran", Folio 346r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
  • Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (Iranian, Paj ca. 940/41–1020 Tus)
  • Artist: Painting attributed to Qasim ibn 'Ali (Iranian, active ca. 1525–60)
  • Workshop director: Aqa Mirak (Iranian, active ca. 1525–1576 Qazvin)
  • Date: ca. 1525–30
  • Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting:
    H. 11 in. (27.9 cm)
    W. 7 1/2 in. (19 cm)
    Entire Page:
    H. 18 9/16 in. (47.1 cm)
    W. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
  • Object Number: 1970.301.46
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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