The sīmurgh arrives to assist Rūdāba mounted print 16” x 12”

The Chester Beatty exhibition Meeting in Isfahan explores this cosmopolitan urban centre of trade, ideas and visual culture.

This mounted print features the artwork The sīmurgh arrives to assist Rūdāba with the birth of Rustam, by Muḥammad Zamān, from the Book of Kings (Shāhnāma). The simurgh (a giant magical bird) flies down into the picture-frame, in response to an appeal from her former foster-son Zal, during the labour of his wife Rūdāba. With the noble simurgh’s help, Rūdāba gives birth (via Caesarean section) to Rustam, who will grow up to become the great hero of Firdausi’s epic.

This window mounted print measures (including mount) 16” x 12”, 40.64 x 30.48 cm, the print measures 31 x 19.5 cm.

Details