Abu Ol Qasem Mansur Collection

Mounted warriors, leaf from a Shahnama, 741 AH/AD 1341. Creator: Unknown
Mounted warriors, leaf from a Shahnama, 741 AH/AD 1341. Page from a dispersed illustrated and illuminated manuscript of Firdawsi's Shahnamah (Book of kings)

King Khusraw and Barbad, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1475 and 1500. Creator: Unknown
King Khusraw and Barbad, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1475 and 1500

Meeting of Two Generals, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1475 and 1500. Creator: Unknown
Meeting of Two Generals, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1475 and 1500

Meeting of Warriors, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1620 and 1625. Creator: Unknown
Meeting of Warriors, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1620 and 1625

Gorgin Leads Bishan Astray, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1620 and 1623. Creator: Unknown
Gorgin Leads Bishan Astray, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), between 1620 and 1623

King Khusraw Anushirvan Enthroned: Page from a Manuscript of the Shahnama... 741 A.H. (A.D. 1341)
King Khusraw Anushirvan Enthroned: Page from a Manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdawsi, 741 A.H. (A.D. 1341)

Hormuz Forces His High Priest to Eat Poisoned Food... c1485-1495. Creators: Unknown, Ferdowsi
Hormuz Forces His High Priest to Eat Poisoned Food, Page from a Manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdawsi, Iran, Shiraz, c1485-1495. Hormuz (Hormozd IV, r)

A King Enthroned on a Terrace, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 18th century. Creator: Unknown
A King Enthroned on a Terrace, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 18th century

Raksh Saves Rustam from a Lioness, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), c1500. Creator: Unknown
Raksh Saves Rustam from a Lioness, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), c1500

Rustam Slays the White Div, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 1608. Creator: Unknown
Rustam Slays the White Div, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 1608

The Wedding of Zal and Rudaba, page from a manuscript of the Shahnama... between 1425 and 1450
The Wedding of Zal and Rudaba, page from a manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdawsi, between 1425 and 1450

Battle Scene and Text (recto), Text (verso), Folio from a Shahnama (Book of... early 17th century. Creator: Unknown)
Battle Scene and Text (recto), Text (verso), Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), early 17th century

Firdawsi Receiving Wages in a Bathhouse... between c1550 and c1575. Creator: Unknown
Firdawsi Receiving Wages in a Bathhouse, Page from a Manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings) (image 2 of 2), between c1550 and c1575

Rustam Approaching the Tents of King Kubad... between 1550 and 1575. Creators: Unknown, Ferdowsi
Rustam Approaching the Tents of King Kubad; Page from a Manuscript of the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdawsi (image 2 of 5), between 1550 and 1575

The Bowman, frontispiece from The Epic of Kings, Stories Retold from Firdusi, 1882. Creator: Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
The Bowman, frontispiece from The Epic of Kings, Stories Retold from Firdusi, 1882

Rustam Lassos Rakhsh, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), ca. 1450. Creator: Unknown
Rustam Lassos Rakhsh, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), ca. 1450

Double Title Page of a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi, Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), c
Double Title Page of a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi, Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), 16th century, c.1550

The Wedding Night of Anushirvan and the Khaqans Daughter (from a copy of Firdausi s
The Wedding Night of Anushirvan and the Khaqans Daughter (from a copy of Firdausis Shahnama), Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), c.1560/1570

Rustam slaying jackal, from the Shahnama of Firdausi, Ilkhanid dynasty (1256-1353), dated 1341

The Birth of Rustam, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi, Safavid dynasty (1501-1722)? dated c.1620

Zal and Rudaba in a Palace, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi, Timurid dynasty (ca. 1370-1507), 1480/90

Manuchehr Kills Tur, Manuscript from Shahnama, Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), 1580 / 1590
Manuchehr Kills Tur, Manuscript from Shahnama, Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), 16th century, dated 1580/1590

Kay Khosrow Crosses the Sea of Zareh on His Way to China, a scene from the... about 1550
Kay Khosrow Crosses the Sea of Zareh on His Way to China, a scene from the Shahnama of Firdausi, Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), about 1550

The Shahnamah of Firdausi, Mughal dynasty, late 18th century. Creator: Unknown
The Shahnamah of Firdausi, Mughal dynasty, late 18th century

Three Men Before a Castle, Folio from a Khavarannama (The Book of the East)... ca
Three Men Before a Castle, Folio from a Khavarannama (The Book of the East) of ibn Husam al-Din, ca. 1476-86

Rustam Slays Esfandiyar, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 1666-67

Rustam Battles Sava, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 15th century

Rustam Discoursing with Isfandiyar, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), dated A.H. 741/A.D. 1341

Rustams First Course: Rakhsh Kills a Lion, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), ca. 1430-40

Rustam Captures Rakhsh, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), mid-15th century

Rustam Saved by his Horse Rakhsh from an Attacking Lion, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, late 15th century

Rustam Captures the Horse Rakhsh, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, late 15th century

Rustam Slays the White Div, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), 1560-80

Rustam Overpowers the King of Hamavaran, Folio from a Shahnama... late 15th century
Rustam Overpowers the King of Hamavaran, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), late 15th century

Rustam Shoots His Half-brother Shaghad through a Plane Tree, Folio from... A.H. 887 / A.D
Rustam Shoots His Half-brother Shaghad through a Plane Tree, Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi, dated A.H. 887/A.D. 1482

Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand, Folio from a Shahnama, 15th century. Creator: Unknown
Rustam Wrestles with Puladvand, Folio from a Shahnama, 15th century

Rustam Kills Isfandiyar with a Double Pointed Arrow, Folio from a Shahnama, 15th century

Rustam Slays Isfandiyar, Folio 466r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings)... ca. 1525-30
Rustam Slays Isfandiyar, Folio 466r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30

Rustam Avenges His Own Impending Death, Folio 472r from the Shahnama... ca. 1525-30
Rustam Avenges His Own Impending Death, Folio 472r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30

Rustam and Isfandiyar Begin Their Combat, Folio 461v from the Shahnama... ca. 1530-35
Rustam and Isfandiyar Begin Their Combat, Folio 461v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1530-35

Surkha Captured by Faramarz is Condemned by Rustam, Folio 204v... ca. 1525-30
Surkha Captured by Faramarz is Condemned by Rustam, Folio 204v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30

The Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus, Folio 268v from the Shahnama (Book of... ca. 1525-30
The Combat of Rustam and Ashkabus, Folio 268v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30

Rustam Pained Before Kai Kavus, Folio 146r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings)... ca
Rustam Pained Before Kai Kavus, Folio 146r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30

Kai Kavus and Rustam Embrace, Folio 123r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings)... ca
Kai Kavus and Rustam Embrace, Folio 123r from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30

Rustams Fourth Course, He Cleaves a Witch, Folio 120v from the Shahnama... ca. 1525
Rustams Fourth Course, He Cleaves a Witch, Folio 120v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525

Six Kashian Persian Tiles with Inscription from Shahnameh, 13th century. Inscriptions from Persian poetry including the Shahnameh

Golden Age of Earthly Paradise, 1567. Streams, bordered by flowers, run through a landscape where humans and animals live in harmony and enjoy the fruits of the earth

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Abu ol Qasem Mansur: A Journey Through the Shahnama Step into the enchanting world of Abu ol Qasem Mansur, where the pages of the Shahnama come alive with vibrant illustrations and captivating tales. This double title page from a copy of Firdausi's masterpiece, dating back to the Safavid dynasty, sets the stage for an extraordinary adventure. In "The Wedding Night of Anushirvan and the Khaqans Daughter, " another exquisite scene unfolds before our eyes. The brushstrokes skillfully depict a moment filled with love, anticipation, and celebration, and is a testament to Mansur's artistic prowess that he can transport us effortlessly into this joyous occasion. As we turn another page in this magnificent manuscript, we encounter Rustam slaying a jackal. The Ilkhanid dynasty's influence is evident in every stroke as Mansur masterfully captures Rustam's strength and determination. We are left in awe of his ability to bring such intensity to life on paper. "The Birth of Rustam" reveals yet another facet of Mansur's talent during his time under the Safavid dynasty. With intricate details and delicate colors, he portrays Zal and Rudaba basking in their newborn son's arrival—a touching moment that tugs at our heartstrings. Moving forward through history, we find ourselves immersed in Timurid artistry as Zal and Rudaba grace a palace setting. Every line tells a story; every color choice evokes emotions within us, and is clear that Abu ol Qasem Mansur was not only an illustrator but also an exceptional storyteller who could captivate audiences across centuries. In "Manuchehr Kills Tur, " created during the Safavid era around 1580-1590, we witness yet another triumph by Mansur’s hand. His attention to detail transports us directly into this climactic battle scene—an epic clash between good and evil that leaves us breathless.