Zal Climbing up to Rudaba
Illustrated manuscript leaf, miniature painting on paper • Ottoman Court Workshop (Nakkaşhane), likely an anonymous artist circle under the influence of Nakkaş Osman
Style & Movement
Ottoman Painting (Classical Period)
Medium & Technique
Opaque pigments (gouache), gold, and ink on paper; Ottoman miniature technique with nasta'liq calligraphy
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (c. 1580-1610)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30 x 20 cm; Vertical portrait format (folio leaf)
Subject Description
A scene from Ferdowsi's Shahnama (Book of Kings) depicting the hero Zal scaling the palace wall of the princess Rudaba by using her long tresses. The composition features high-walled palace architecture, a dome, and lush garden greenery (cypress and fruit trees) against a night sky. Calligraphy bands in Ottoman Turkish flank the central image.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; shows historical wear consistent with age, including some pigment loss and edge fraying
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$12,000 - $20,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a larger manuscript produced for high-ranking Ottoman officials or the Sultan's library; private collections via the 20th-century art market.
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the Ottoman appropriation and stylistic adaptation of classic Persian literature (the Shahnama). It demonstrates the high quality of narrative storytelling and decorative architecture characteristic of the Ottoman Golden Age painting.
Notable Features
Fine use of gold leaf in the dome and architecture; presence of the 'four-column' text layout standard for epic poetry; distinctive Ottoman-style architecture including the crenelated walls and striped masonry.
Condition Issues
Pigment flaking (especially in heavier whites and gold), surface abrasions, minor staining on the margins, and possible thinning of paper at the corners.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning of surface dirt, stabilization of flaking pigments, mounting in acid-free museum-grade materials with UV-protective glazing, and strict humidity control.