Rostam and the Other Paladins in the Mountains

Two separate incidents, appearing in close proximity in the Shahnama, are represented together in this painting. The composition is divided horizontally across the middle by a ridge of coral-like rocks intended to convey a mountain ledge. A spring of water runs down the left side, and, reaching the bottom, turns to flow horizontally across the painting. This is the spring in which Kay Ḵosro had bathed just before his disappearance, and to which some of the paladins had followed against his wishes. Just behind the spring to the right is a snowdrift, from which emerge the points of the lances of those that had died with him in the storm. This scene of their death was one full day’s journey into the mountains from the place Kay Ḵosro had said his farewell to Zāl, Rostam, and the more prudent of the paladins. Yet, Rostam and seven of his companions are shown here in the top half of the painting, presumably further up the mountain, waiting for the storm to dissipate. They are arranged in a horizontal row across the composition, some wrapping themselves in blankets to keep warm, others just huddling. Seven umbrellas are mysteriously held aloft over their heads. A turbulent sky appears at the top, and white snowflakes cover the entire surface of the picture except for the faces.

Painting with text and frame: 29.5 x 14.8 cm. Page: 35.1 x 20.4 c. Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Twenty-one lines of text written on a diagonal across the top and halfway down the left side. Twenty-five lines of text, also written on a diagonal but on the opposite incline, commence at the midpoint on the left side and continue to the bottom, and then across the bottom. Between the painting and the diagonal text panels on top and bottom are also four lines of four-column text written horizontally, two lines above the painting, and two below. Included in the diagonal text panel at the top is a chapter heading: “The Return of Zāl, Rostam, and Godarz, and the Lamentation of Godarz, son of Kešvād”. Gilt interlinear decoration permeates the text. Frame encloses painting and text. No significant damage; no sign of retouching. The painting is signed in the lower margin in miniscule characters: raqam-e kamina moʿin-e moṣavver. The other side of this folio contains text from the story of Lohrāsp.

Location: Harvard Art Museums, Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Francis H. Burr Memorial Fund, 1941.294. Formerly in the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard.

Painting references:
Schroeder, Fogg_1941, p.147, #XXVIII (ill.). Stchoukine, SA_1964, p.65.
Robinson, PD_1965, pl.69 (ill. in color). Simpson, Fogg_1980, p.94 #35 (ill.)
Cambridge Shahnameh Project
Text references: Warner, IV, p.306, 310; Mohl, III, pp.213, 217-19.

Robert Eng
Last Updated: March 29, 2011. Originally published: March 29, 2011