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Illustration from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp I
f.241r: The Besotted Iranian Camp is Attacked by Night.
The figures wear early 16th century Persian dress.
"The Besotted Iranian Camp Attacked by Night", Folio 241r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Author: Abu'l Qasim Firdausi (935–1020)
Artist: Painting attributed to Qadimi (active ca. 1525–65)
Object Name: Folio from an illustrated manuscript
Date: ca. 1525–30
Geography: Made in Iran, Tabriz
Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
Dimensions: Painting: H. 11 1/8 x W. 9 1/8 in. (H. 28.2 x W. 23.2 cm)
Entire Page: H. 18 11/16 x W. 12 5/8 in. (H. 47.5 x W. 32.1 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Gift of Arthur A. Houghton Jr., 1970
Accession Number: 1970.301.36
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
Following a rout at the hands of the Iranians, the army of Turan regrouped and planned its attack. Before the battle could begin, the Turanians learned that the whole Iranian army was in its cups, drunkenly celebrating its victory. Taking the Iranians by surprise, the Turanians attacked their encampment, slaughtering the besotted soldiers as the few survivors fled in disarray. The artist Qadimi has captured the chaos of the melee with Iranians trapped amidst tents and terrified horses as the Turanians attack them with swords, daggers, and spears.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1970.301.36