"Umar Converts to Islam," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)

19th century

Not on view

This illustrated folio is from a Shi'i epic recounting the life of 'Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law and, according to Shi'i belief, the legitimate successor to the Prophet. It depicts the Prophet, who wears a white face-veil at the center of the composition, conversing with ‘Umar, whose right eye has been scratched out by a previous owner of the manuscript; ‘Ali is seated in the foreground surrounded by members of the Quraysh tribe. The style and palette are consistent with paintings of the first half of the nineteenth century. Shi'i epics were modeled on the Shahnama, replacing the celebrated hero Rustam with 'Ali. They were a popular genre in the Qajar period although only a few manuscripts survive, making this a rare example.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: "Umar Converts to Islam," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)
Date: 19th century
Geography: Made in Iran
Medium: Opaque water, gold, and ink on paper
Dimensions: H. 13 3/16 in. (33.5 cm)
W. 7 11/16 in. (19.6 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefits, 2019
Object Number: 2019.319
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"Salman-i Farsi's Conversion," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion), Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper — "Salman-i Farsi's Conversion," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)
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"The Angel Gabriel Reveals Sura Annama 55 to the Prophet," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion), Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper — "The Angel Gabriel Reveals Sura Annama 55 to the Prophet," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)
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"Jewish Captives Making an Appeal to the Prophet," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion), Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper — "Jewish Captives Making an Appeal to the Prophet," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)
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"Conquering the Qamus Fort," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion), Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper — "Conquering the Qamus Fort," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)
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"Mi'raj, The Night Journey of the Prophet," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion), Ink, gold, silver, and opaque watercolor on paper — "Mi'raj, The Night Journey of the Prophet," Folio from a Hamla-yi Haidari (Attack of the Lion)
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