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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1958.181
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Calligraphic Mihrab Containing Qur'an Surah 68, verses 51 and 52 (al-Qalam)
Other Titles
Title: Qur'anic Verses in the Form of a Mihrab, calligraphic composition
Series/Book Title: Qur'an
Classification
Calligraphy
Work Type
calligraphy
Date
early 19th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India or Iran
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216116

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink, color and gold on paper
Dimensions
23.18 x 15.24 cm (9 1/8 x 6 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Goelet
Accession Year
1958
Object Number
1958.181
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
Calligraphy in graphic design inspired by Kufic script in the form of a Mihrab, displaying the verses 51-52 of the Qur'an Surah 68 (al-Qalam). Those verses have been used in Muslim traditions as apotropaic to keep the evil eye away.

Publication History

  • Michele de Angelis and Thomas W. Lentz, Architecture in Islamic Painting: Permanent and Impermanent Worlds, brochure, Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, Mass, 1982)
  • 40 Years On... Donations by John Goelet: Sculpture, Paintings and Drawings, Miniatures and Calligraphy, Tankas and Mandala, M. T. Train and Scala Books (New York, NY, 2000), page 151, 234

Exhibition History

  • Islamic Art and the Written Word, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 10/05/1983 - 11/27/1983
  • Geometry of the Spirit: Islamic Illumination and Calligraphy, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/30/1988 - 06/26/1988
  • Islamic Art: The Power of Pattern, Harvard University Art Museums, Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 09/23/1989 - 01/17/1990
  • Eyes to the East: Indian, Persian, and Turkish Art Given by Harvard Graduates, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/1990 - 11/25/1990
  • The Enlightened Eye: Gifts from John Goelet, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 02/12/2000 - 05/07/2000
  • The Continuous Stroke of a Breath: Calligraphy from the Islamic World, Harvard University Art Museums, Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 12/20/2003 - 07/18/2004
  • Traces of the Calligrapher: Islamic Calligraphy in Practice, c. 1600–1900, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, 11/03/2007 - 02/03/2008; Asia Society Museum, New York, 10/07/2008 - 02/08/2009; Michael C. Carlos Museum of Art, Atlanta, 08/28/2010 - 12/05/2010
  • 32Q: 3620 University Study Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 02/10/2016 - 02/22/2016

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu