"Kai Khusrau Crosses the Sea", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Firdausi 1585 - 1635

This painting in opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper depicts Kai Khusrau Crossing the Sea. It is from a Shahnama, or Book of Kings, written by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi around the turn of the first millennium in Persia. The Shahnama is an epic poem recounting the mythical and historical past of the Persian Empire. Such illustrated manuscripts were luxury objects, produced in royal workshops. Here, Khusrau, a legendary Persian king, is shown on a ship, surrounded by sea creatures, traveling to meet his destiny. The painting is integrated with text from the poem itself, presented in elegant calligraphy. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Its themes of kingship, destiny, and perilous journeys would have resonated deeply in the cultural and political context of Persia. Understanding this artwork benefits from researching the social history of manuscript production and royal patronage in Persia. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.