Heroes and Kings of the Shahnama

From 18 Nov 2010 to 19 Mar 2011

19 November - 20 March 2011. The Chester Beatty Library presents a major exhibition of 150 paintings relating to the Shahnama (Book of Kings) to mark the 1000th anniversary of one of the world's great classics of literature.

Hailing from Iran, the epic poem of some 60,000 verses by the poet Firdawsi was completed in 1010 and tells gallant and magical tales of the country's heroes and kings who were adept at slaying fire-breathing dragons; it also relates Alexander the Great's failed quest to find the fountain of youth.

The richly-illustrated paintings, all of which come from the library's own collection, were produced in Iran and India between the 14th and 19th centuries.