Zal and Rudaba in a Palace, page from a copy of the Shahnama of Firdausi c. 1370 - 1507

This miniature painting is a page from a manuscript copy of the *Shahnama*, the Persian epic poem by Ferdowsi. It is a visual depiction of a scene from the epic poem, the story of Zal and Rudaba. Dating to between 1370 and 1507, the painting features a narrative style common to the *Shahnama* and its illustrative traditions. The work is rich in detail and color, with detailed rendering of the figures, costumes, and palace architecture. The visual composition of the page is divided into sections with the narrative scene below and Persian text above.