The Art of Chivalry
The Art of Chivalry
Fol. 138r from a manuscript of Akhlaq-i Nasiri
Pakistan, Lahore, ca. 1590–1595
Watercolours, gold, and ink on paper
AKM288.7
For Nasir al-Din Tusi, a model life can be achieved by cultivating the mind, spirit, and body in equal measure. The second section of his Ethics deals with skills that one should aspire to attain, such as writing and rhetoric, as well as horsemanship and military prowess. In this illustration, a mounted prince hurls a spear into the air while his companions look on in astonishment. The accompanying text describes chivalric practices as a noble art that provides an income, cultivates physical strength and courage, and imparts the ability to protect and defend territory.