Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Assembly of Four Sufis

late 19th–early 20th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 450
The Qajar-era interest in subjects and styles borrowed from earlier periods is well illustrated in this drawing of a group of men gathered in a natural setting. Thematically this piece can be linked to a group of late sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century works depicting scenes of outdoor entertainment and conversation. The careful attention given to the finished rendering of the head—as against the simplified outline drawing of the bodies and robes—is also characteristic of this genre of drawings. In the nineteenth century, however, the choice of this style with caricaturized facial features may suggest a novel use of drawings for the purpose of satire.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Assembly of Four Sufis
  • Date: late 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)
    W. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Gift of Charles K. and Irma B. Wilkinson, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.461
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
Swan-Neck Glass Bottle, Glass, blue; dip-molded, blown, folded foot
Swan-Neck Glass Bottle
19th century
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
"The Feast of Sada", Folio 22v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp
Author Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Painting attributed to Sultan Muhammad
ca. 1525
Pair of Minbar Doors, Wood (rosewood and mulberry); carved and inlaid with carved ivory, ebony, and other woods
Pair of Minbar Doors
ca. 1325–30
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks, Papier-maché; painted and lacquered
Pen Box (Qalamdan) Depicting Shah Isma'il in a Battle against the Uzbeks
early 19th century
Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; leather binding
Qur'an Manuscript
dated 1268 AH/1851–52 CE

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries and chronologies from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.