Ferdowsi Abulghasem Farshchian Mahmoud (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Hakim Abu Al-Qasem Mansoor Ferdowsi (940-1020?) is best remembered today for the epic poem the Shahnameh, or "Book Of Kings." Born in Toos, Ferdowsi is said to have begun writing the poem in order to pay his only child's bridal dowry. It was commissioned by the Samanid princes of Khorasan, who were the chief instigators of the revival of Persian cultural traditions after the Arab conquest of the seventh century. An important feature of this work is that, even though the Arabic language was considered the main language of science and literature at the time, Ferdowsi used only Persian in his masterpiece. As Ferdowsi himself said, "The Persian language is revived by this work." It is part of the reason why many Persians know at least part of this poem by heart and it is still frequently read and recited today. The poem was completed in CE 1010; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has named the year 2010 in Ferdowsi's honor to mark the millennial anniversary of his masterpiece. This edition of the Book of Kings is illustrated by world famous artist Mahmoud Farshchian. Art appreciators and appraisers of Farshchian's work include the Director of the Smithsonian Institution, the Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Director of Harvard University Art Museum. Collectors of his works include Queen Elizabeth II, the late former President Lyndon Johnson, Senator William Fullbright, Prince Agha Khan, and Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.