ManuscriptsPersian16th century

The Prophet Muhammad's Ascent to Heaven (painting, verso; text, recto), folio from a manuscript of the Khamsa (Iskandarnama) by Nizami

1584

Description

This depiction of the miraculous night journey of Muhammad shows him facing right, following the lead of Gabriel. The Archangel holds a green banner, and the Prophet, his face veiled, rides his mystical steed, Buraq. Colorful, vessel-bearing angels gather around them. In the upper right corner of this painting appear two motifs absent from the other illustration: lion and sun, which traditionally are Shi'i symbols associated with the house of the Prophet.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Culture

Persian

Period

Safavid period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

39.5 x 26.2 cm (15 9/16 x 10 5/16 in.)

Provenance

[Christies, London, 18 October 1994, lot 27]. [Mansour Gallery, London, 1994 or 1995], sold; to Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood, Belmont, MA (1994 or 1995 - 2002), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2002.