December 2007
Asian Court Rotation
This illustration of a much-loved and poignant heroic tale from the Persian national epic known as the Shahnameh or Book of Kings depicts Rustam killing Esfandiar. The drama draws its strength from the fact that both combatants are heroes and are mutually appreciative of each other’s strength and virtues, and do their utmost to avert the tragic end, but to no avail. Rustam is shown on the left with his distinct zoomorphic headgear, having just blinded (and thereby ultimately killed) Esfandiar in both eyes with a two-headed arrow. The arrow is shown being removed by the victim, who is on the ground after his fall from his black horse, a position which is somewhat unusual in illustrations of this period. The figures in the background are lamenting the victim, where one of them is described in the text as “with cheeks all tears of blood and heart all anguish.”
The combatants as well as their horses create rhythmic patterns of shape and color across the page. The landscape is shown with a high horizon; plants inserted for decorative purposes in the composition are typical in Persian painting of this period.

Sonya Quintanilla (2014) Quebec
Rustam blinds Esfandiar with an arrow
From a Shahnama (“Book of Kings”)
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 16th century
Iran, 13 17/32 in. x 8 31/32 in. (34.4 cm x 22.8 cm)
Museum purchase with funds provided by the University Women's Club, 1927.14
This illustration from Iran, of a much-loved and poignant heroic tale from the Persian national epic, depicts Rustam killing Esfandiar. The drama draws its strength from the fact that both combatants are heroes and are mutually appreciative of each other’s strength and virtues, and do their utmost to avert the tragic end, but to no avail. Rustam is shown on the left with his distinct zoomorphic headgear, having just blinded (and thereby ultimately killed) Esfandiar in both eyes with a two-headed arrow. The arrow is shown being removed by the victim, who is on the ground after his fall from his black horse, a position which is somewhat unusual in illustrations of this period. The figures in the background are lamenting the victim, where one of them is described in the text as “with cheeks all tears of blood and heart all anguish.”
The combatants as well as their horses create rhythmic patterns of shape and color across the page. The landscape is shown with a high horizon; plants inserted for decorative purposes in the composition are typical in Persian painting of this period.
Last Updated: 8/10/2022