Image
Iranian
Kaiumers, the First King of the World, mid 1600s
Description
Maker
Culture
Title
Kaiumers, the First King of the World
Year
mid 1600s
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Materials/Techniques
-
Materials
Supports
Dimensions
-
23 x 14 cm (9 1/8 x 5 1/2 inches)
Place
-
Iran
Type
Credit
-
Museum Appropriation Fund
Object Number
-
17.447
About
This sheet is taken from a 17th-century copy of the Shahnama, an epic poem that tells the history of Iran. At center, it shows Kaiumers, Persia’s first ruler, known for his sense of justice and his communion with nature. He appears clad in his signature leopard skin and surrounded by the various followers—both man and beast—who rallied to support him in times of war.
In addition to providing a historical narrative, the Shahnama was meant to serve as a manual of conduct and to offer examples of effective rule. Lavish, richly illustrated editions of the book were commissioned by new Persian kings upon assuming the throne.
Iran
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Use
The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Kaiumers, the First King of the World with the accession number of 17.447. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.
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