"Kai Kavus Attempts to Fly to Heaven", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

mid-15th century · Image: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper Margins: Ink and gold on dyed paper · Islamic Art

This painting comes from a copy of a highly Persianate Shahnama that was probably made in northern India. The paintings from this book were later placed in an album with brightly colored borders. In the episode illustrated here, the prince Kai Kavus attempts to fly to heaven by fastening young eagles to his throne. The painting shows Kai Kavus, in a gold-domed throne, holding a piece of meat to entice the eagles.

Artist

Abu'l Qasim Firdausi

Date

mid-15th century

Medium

Image: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper Margins: Ink and gold on dyed paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The Grinnell Collection, Bequest of William Milne Grinnell, 1920