Calligraphic Portrait of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib
1344 AH/1924-1925 CE
Artists
Description
This composition depicts `Ali ibn Abi Talib, Islam's fourth orthodox caliph and first Shi`i imam. In the smaller vignettes below, horsemen representing `Ali's grandsons Qasim and `Ali Akbar flank a central image in which the Prophet Muhammad riding Buraq is greeted by `Ali in the guise of a lion. The composition incorporates pious expressions and verses from the Qur'an (2:255; 12:64; and 113). The date has been slightly abraded so that it is easy to misread it as 1244 (1828-29) rather than 1344 (1924-25).
Dimensions
33.6 x 23.2 cm (13 1/4 x 9 1/8 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreOpaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari School, Kangra Style
18th centuryIndianInk on paper
15th centuryPersianInk with opaque watercolor and gold on paper
17th-18th centuryIndianTop: blue counterproof on off-white Eastern paper (recto); Middle: watercolor and colored inks on off-white paper (recto); Middle: pink ink and graphite (verso); Bottom: graphite and pink ink on beige wove paper (recto); Red counterproof and watercolor on blue Eastern paper (verso)
19th centuryPersianOpaque watercolor on paper
18th centuryIndianBlack counterproof with red and blue inks on off-white modern laid paper
19th centuryPersianInk, colors, and gold on paper
19th centuryPersianInk and opaque watercolor on paper
16th-17th centuryOttomanInk, colors, and gold on paper
19th centuryPersianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th-17th centuryPersianOpaque watercolor on paper
19th centuryIndian