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Manuscript/Mixed Material The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea

About this Item

Title

  • The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea

Created / Published

  • 16th-17th centuries

Headings

  • -  Calligraphy, Arabic
  • -  Calligraphy, Persian
  • -  Manuscripts, Persian--Washington (D.C.)
  • -  Iran
  • -  Arabic script calligraphy
  • -  Illuminated Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Islamic calligraphy
  • -  Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Nasta'liq

Notes

  • -  The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea, from Firdawsi's "Shahnamah" (The Book of Kings), written in the Nasta'liq script, illustrated manuscript page, from the Safavid era.
  • -  Dimensions of painting: 19 (w) x 21 (h) cm. Dimensions of Written Surface: 13.9 (w) x 24.8 (h) cm
  • -  The painting shows the precise moment when the Div Akvan pauses before deciding to hurl Rustam into the waters. The demon stands tall, his arms clutching to the ground on which a still sleeping Rustam lays, as his gold bell bangles clang loudly. A posteriori labels added to the right of Rustam's head and at the demon's waist identify the actors Rustam and Div Akvan. On the right side of the composition, rocky mountains and two threatening tigers are depicted, while, at the bottom of the painting, the sea appears inhabited by a variety of fish. Immediately above the painting, the chapter heading executed in gold ink identifies the scene and its corresponding text.
  • -  The painting's style and composition are typical of illustrated manuscripts of Firdawsi's "Shahnamah" produced during the Safavid period in Iran. The rocky outcrop, loosely painted in light blue, pink, and yellow washes, sometimes creates formations that hint at facial features. The layout of the text and the script (nasta'liq) as visible on the painting's verso (see 1-88-154.118 V) also characterize 16th-century Persian manuscripts.
  • -  This painting represents an episode described in Firdawsi's "Shahnamah" (The Book of Kings), the epic story of ancient kings and heroes of Persia composed by the renowned author during the first decades of the 11th century. The text on the fragments recto and verso describes the painting. King Khusraw summons Rustam to help him stop a demon (div) disguised as a wild ass that is ravaging of the royal herds. After three days of unsuccessful battle, the hero falls asleep in the grass. Thereupon, the Div Akvan casts aside his disguise, resumes his demonic form, rushes towards Rustam, and digs up the ground around the hero. He gives Rustam the choice of being thrown against the mountains, to be eaten by lions and onagers, or cast into the sea, where he would drown to his death. Knowing that the enemy would do the exact opposite and realizing that, if cast to the sea, he would have a chance to swim to survival, he asked to be thrown against the mountains. Rustam is cast to the sea, swims back to the shore, and returns to defeat the demon in combat.
  • -  Unfortunately, the lower right corner of the painting has suffered damage and thus a small portion of the painting is lost to us today.
  • -  Script: nasta'liq
  • -  1-88-154.118

Medium

  • 1 volume ; 20.6 (w) x 26.6 (h) cm

Repository

  • Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2019714668

Online Format

  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The contents of the Library of Congress Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy are in the public domain or have no known copyright restrictions and are free to use and reuse.

Credit Line: Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea. 16th-17th Centuries. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714668/.

APA citation style:

The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea. 16th-17th Centuries. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714668/.

MLA citation style:

The Div Akvan throws Rustam into the sea. 16th-17th Centuries. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2019714668/>.