ManuscriptsOttoman16th century

Faridun Attacking Zahhak (text, recto; painting, verso), illustrated folio from a Turkish translation of the Shahnama of Firdawsi

late 16th century

Description

This illustrated folio comes from an unidentified copy of a Turkish prose translation of the Shahnama of Firdawsi. There were several prose and verse translations of the Shahnama into Turkish in the 15th-17th centuries. This folio from an unidentified version must have been produced as part of a manuscript in the late 16th century Ottoman court based on the style of the miniatures (especially architecture), use of gold, and details reflecting the Ottoman court life. The miniature follows the text closely and the title of this section is copied in red ink on the recto side. In the miniature Faridun is shown with a mace and is about to hit Zahhak who is holding with both hands onto a rope tied to the balcony railing. In the text above the miniature Zahhak is mentioned escaping with a long rope on the roof of his palace.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor and ink on paper

Culture

Ottoman

Period

Ottoman period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art