Rustam Takes Aim at Ashkabus, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings)

c. 1425–50

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Rustam Takes Aim at Ashkabus, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings), c. 1425–50. Sultanate India, Deccan or Malwa. Gum tempera and ink on paper; folio: 31.8 x 25.6 cm (12 1/2 x 10 1/16 in.); painting: 13.7 x 20.5 cm (5 3/8 x 8 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2020.204 The central warrior is Iran’s mythic hero Rustam, who approached an enemy army on foot, aiming to shoot the general off his mount. This page is from the oldest surviving illustrated Islamic manuscript made in India. The painting is by a local artist working for a Sultanate patron in India who admired Persian literature and emulated the erudite court culture of Iran. In the upside-down inscription in the top margin: The Heavens cried, “Excellent!” and the Moon said “Well Done!”

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: Gum tempera and ink on paper
Medium: gum, tempera, ink, paper
Dimensions: Folio: 31.8 x 25.6 cm (12 1/2 x 10 1/16 in.); Painting: 13.7 x 20.5 cm (5 3/8 x 8 1/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: The heavens themselves echo the action of the arrow;/ Fate said “Take it!” and Fortune nodded “Give!”/ The Heavens cried, “Excellent!” and the Moon said “Well Done!” Remark: On top of the page in black script in the margin is a famous line which occurs in some manuscripts but is relegated to footnotes by those who regard it as a later interpolation, although it has become proverbially popular.
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 2020.204
Credit Line: Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Exhibitions: Martial Art of India (Indian Painting rotation)
Rights Statement: CC0