Angels Visit the Sage Sultan Ibrahim ibn-Adham of Balkh

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Angels Visit the Sage Sultan Ibrahim ibn-Adham of Balkh

c. 1775

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Sultan Ibrahim ibn-Adham was a very wealthy Muslim king who ruled in the eighth century. According to tradition, Ibrahim awoke one night to find strangers searching for a camel on his palace roof. When he inquired why they were looking in such an unlikely place, they replied that any king who tried to find God in a palace was equally foolish. Reflecting on this revelation and other mystical experiences, Ibrahim gave up his throne to live in the forest as a dervish, or Muslim ascetic. Here, four angels present Ibrahim with meals in covered dishes. The angels' assistance suggests divine recognition, a testimonial to the virtues of the ascetic lifestyle.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Angels Visit the Sage Sultan Ibrahim ibn-Adham of Balkh

Date:

c. 1775

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Black ink, transparent and opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 7 3/8 × 8 1/2 inches (18.7 × 21.6 cm) Sheet: 8 1/4 × 9 3/16 inches (21 × 23.3 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-435

Geography:

Made in Nagaur, Rajasthan, Marwar, India, Asia

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Currently not on view