Intelligence Squared The Specialist | The Greatest Persian Manuscript: A Story Fit For Kings, with Benedict Carter
Aug 1, 2025
Dive into the mesmerizing tale of the Shahnameh, the Persian Book of Kings, and its journey through history. Hear about the extraordinary 258-illustration manuscript, its royal origins, and the impact of its turbulent past. Discover the fascinating 1994 exchange of art that connected cultures and the record-breaking auction that captivated the world. This story melds art, literature, and history, showcasing the enduring legacy of Persian culture.
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Shahnameh: Persian Art Zenith
- The Shahnameh manuscript is a pinnacle of Persian art, unmatched in the West, created over 20 years by royal artists.
- It features 50,000 rhyming couplets and 258 illustrations by top Persian painters of the 16th century.
Manuscript's Royal Journey and Breakup
- The manuscript was gifted to the Ottoman Sultan Selim II and stayed in Turkey for 300 years before entering European collections.
- It was later disbound by Arthur A. Houghton Jr., who exhibited and attempted to sell it whole, but ultimately it was broken up and sold in parts.
1994 Iran Art Swap Anecdote
- In 1994, Iran swapped Willem de Kooning's painting Woman 3 to recover most of the Shahnameh manuscript.
- This exchange returned 118 illustrated pages and the binding to Iran, restoring 500 years of cultural heritage.
