"The Four Knights of Kai Khusrau in the Mountains", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1316 - 1366

"The Four Knights of Kai Khusrau in the Mountains" is a folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), created between 1316 and 1366. The artwork depicts four knights on horseback, with a mountainous landscape in the background. The artist is Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, who was a renowned Persian poet known for his epic poem Shahnama, which is considered the national epic of Persia. The folio showcases a rich visual narrative, with intricate details in the figures, horses, and landscapes, typical of Persian miniature painting. The Shahnama, a collection of epic tales and historical narratives of Persia, served as a source of inspiration for numerous illustrations and illuminations. This particular folio is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.