"Rustam Fighting Ashkabus", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) 1535 - 1605

This is a page from the Shahnama, or Book of Kings, made around the turn of the first millennium by Abu’l Qasim Firdausi. It's made with ink, colors, and gold on paper. The image is from a manuscript, and its materiality reflects this function. The thinness of the paper, the smooth burnished surface, and the precision of the line work would all have been highly prized. The application of gold leaf, seen in the sky and the banners at the top, shows the patron's wealth and elevates the scene. Consider too the labor involved. Preparing the pigments, grinding them, and applying them so smoothly would have taken immense skill and patience. The calligraphic text, an integral part of the composition, demanded years of training. So, while it's easy to get lost in the narrative, remember that the very materials and making of this artwork speak volumes about cultural value, skill, and the economics of artistic production in its time. The intense, skilled labor elevates craft to fine art.