DISCOVERART

Islamic

Zal Climbing to Rudaba, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi

Safavid dynasty (1501–1722), dated 1580/90
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
26 × 17 cm (10.2 × 6.7 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Among the most beautiful examples of Islamic art are the illuminated manuscripts from Persia that portray legendary tales of heroism, love, and adventure. Zal Courting Rudabahis a page from a 16th-century version of the Book of Kings,the national epic of Persia. Below the lovers seen on the balcony are attendants, animals, architecture, flowering plants, and calligraphy (revered as an art form throughout the Islamic world), all carefully integrated into a rich, overall pattern. The painting's jewel-like quality is enhanced by its brilliant colors, including gold and blue, formed from the precious stone lapis lazuli.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Islamic

Pen Box (Qalamdan)Pen Box (Qalamdan)Book with lacquer coversBook with lacquer coversManuscript of Kulliyat (Complete Works) by Sa'di with Lacquered CoverManuscript of Kulliyat (Complete Works) by Sa'di with LacquePen Box with Hunting ScenesPen Box with Hunting ScenesPage from a Copy of the Qur'anPage from a Copy of the Qur'anLayla Visiting Majnun in the Desert, page from a copy of the Khamsa of NizamiLayla Visiting Majnun in the Desert, page from a copy of theBook BindingBook BindingAn Album Page with a Battle Scene from BorzunamaAn Album Page with a Battle Scene from Borzunama

More like this

Judge (Qazi) of Hamadan in a Drunken State, a scene from the Gulistan of Sa'diUzbekistan Bukhara — Judge (Qazi) of Hamadan in a Drunken StChained Prisoners are Brought Before a King, a scene from the Gulistan of Sa'diUzbekistan Bukhara — Chained Prisoners are Brought Before a An Ambassador before HumayunMiskin (Indian, active 1570s–c. 1604) — An Ambassador beforeBabur meeting with Sultan Ali Mirza at the Kohik River, from a Babur-nama (Memoirs of Babur)Babur meeting with Sultan Ali Mirza at the Kohik River, fromA charioteer riding through a rocky landscape with an entourage of footmen and musicians, page from a Razm-nama (Book of Wars) adapted from the Sanskrit Mahabharata and translated into Persian by Mir Ghiyath al-Din Ali Qazvini, known as Naqib Khan (Persian, d. 1614)Yusuf Ali (Indian, active early 1600s) — A charioteer ridingEncampment in the MountainsEncampment in the MountainsPrince Visiting an Ascetic during a HuntIndia Kashmir — Prince Visiting an Ascetic during a HuntZulaykha in her palace and as an old woman with Joseph, from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al-Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492); verso from a Panj Ganj of Abd al-Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492), with two masnavis: Yusuf va Zulaykha (Joseph and Zulaykha) and Khirad-nama-i Iskandari (Alexander’s Book of Wisdom)Mushfiq (Indian, active early 1600s) — Zulaykha in her palacFolios A and B from the "Five Treasures" (Panj Ganj) of JamiMushfiq (Indian, active early 1600s) — Folios A and B from tIskander Comforts the Dying DariusIran Shiraz, Fars — Iskander Comforts the Dying DariusAlamshah cleaving asunder the chain of the wheel, from volume 11 of a Hamza-nama (Adventures of Hamza)Alamshah cleaving asunder the chain of the wheel, from volumBattle between Manuchihr and Tur, from a Shah-nama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020)Battle between Manuchihr and Tur, from a Shah-nama (Book of