Folio from a Shahnama (Book of kings) by Firdawsi (d.1020); Ardashir captures Ardavan

Object Details

• Label

  In the Shahnama (Book of Kings) by Firdawsi (d. 1020), the story of Ardavan, the last Parthian king (reigned 247-224 B.C.E.) and Ardashir, the founder of the Sasanian dynasty (224-651), exemplifies the triumph of justice. According to Firdawsi, when Ardavan hears about Ardashir's prowess, he invites Ardashir to hunt with his son. Ardashir's superior hunting skill so angers Ardavan that he challenges Ardashir to battle.

  Forty days into the feud, one of Ardashir's men finally succeeds in taking Ardavan prisoner. Wounded and exhausted, the king is brought before the youthful Ardashir. This illustration is particularly notable for its deep pathos, which reverberates throughout the composition, from Ardavan's slumped shoulders and downcast eyes to the dry, twisting branches of the tree behind him. The use of certain pictorial conventions, such as cutting figures off at the margins or placing a figure in the center of the foreground with his back to the viewer, further heighten the composition's sense of visual drama. These new compositional devices were inspired by Chinese imagery found in paintings, on textiles, and other luxury items, which the Ilkhanids imported to Iran.

• Provenance

  To 1913

  Georges Demotte (1877-1923), Paris, France. [1]

  From 1913 to 1942

  Henri Vever (1854-1942), Paris and Noyers, France, purchased from Georges Demotte, Paris, France on June 1913. [2]

  From 1942 to 1986

  Family member, Paris and Boulogne, France, by inheritance from Henri Vever, Paris and Noyers, France. [3]

  From 1986

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, purchased from a family member, Paris and Boulogne, France. [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See Susan Nemazee, "Appendix 7: Chart of Recent Provenance" in An Annotated and Illustrated Checklist of the Vever Collection, Glenn D. Lowry et al (Washington, DC: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1988), p. 401. See also Glen D. Lowry and Susan Nemazee, "Appendix 2: Ledger of Acquisitions, 1894 and 1907-17" in A Jeweler’s Eye: Islamic Arts of the Book from the Vever Collection (Washington, DC: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1988), p. 234.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See the Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of the Henri Vever Collection of January 9, 1986, Collections Management Office.

  [4] See note 3.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama (September 21, 2024 to January 12, 2025)

  The Shahnama: 1000 Years of the Persian Book of Kings (October 23, 2010 to April 17, 2011)

  The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353 (November 5, 2002 to July 27, 2003)

  The Heroic Past: The Persian Book of Kings (June 4 to October 29, 2000)

  A Jeweler's Eye: Islamic Arts of the Book from the Vever Collection (November 20, 1988 to April 30, 1989)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Henri Vever (1854-1942)

  Georges Demotte (1877-1923)

  Francois Mautin (1907-2003)

• Origin

  Tabriz, Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds, Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program, and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Manuscript

• On View

  Sackler 23a: An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1300s

• Name

  Mautin, Francois Albert, Demotte, Georges, Ardavan, Vever, Henri, Ardashir I, King of Iran, d. 241

• Place

  Tabriz

• Topic

  Trees, Prisoner, Art, Animals, Henri Vever collection, Swords, Horses, Arts of the Islamic World, Il-Khanid dynasty (1256 - 1353), Shahnama

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Language

  Naskh script

• Object Type

  Manuscripts

• On View

  Yes