These illuminated sheets, of circa
1600, are from the most famous work of Persian (Iranian) literature,
the Shah-nameh (Book of Kings), which is an epic poem that
revolves around heroes such as Rustam, who was a legendary warrior
of early Persia in the service of his King (Caliph). The sixty-thousand
line work was completed in 1010 by the poet Firdausi, who had spent
over thirty years setting to verse tales which had been gathered
from all over Persia. Firdausi crystallized the traditions of Persians
about their own past, from their mythological origins to the downfall
of the Sasanid empire in the mid-7th century. The Shah-nameh
became one of the most popular books in the Middle East and was
frequently illustrated.
These Persian manuscripts are part of the collection of east and
central Asian art given to the University of Oklahoma in 1936 by
Lew Wentz and Gordon Matzene of Ponca City. With this donation,
OU’s Museum of Art, later named the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of
Art, was founded.
Rustam
and Isfandiyar Begin Their Combat
Barzus'
Mother Intervenes to Save Her Son from Death at
theHands of his Grandfather (Rustam)
The Birth of Rustam
Kay
Ka'us Mounted in His Flying Machine to the Amazement
of His Subjects
Rustam
Capturing the Emperor of China
Isfandiyar in His Armored
Car Encounters the Simurgh
Isfandyar
Receiving the Presents of Kaid, King of Hind
Faridun
Meeting the Messenger Carrying the Head of His
Son
Isfandyar
and His Followers in Tents, Sheltering from the
Snow on theSixth Stage of his Expedition Against
the Brazen Fortress
Disappearance
of Kay Khusrau into the Magic Spring
Death
of Sohrab. Rustam Weeps Over His Dying Son. Third
Day of the Battle Between Rustam and Sohrab.
Siyawush Hits His Mark
Rustam
and the White Demon. Rustam's Seventh Course
Isfandiyar
Shot in the Eyes by Rustam
Rustam
Shoots Ashkabuss and his Horse
The
Death of Sia-Mac at the Hands of the Black Diva
(Demon)
Rustam
Viewing the Return of Siyawush from a Journey
