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"Jonah and the Whale", Folio Probably from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)

ca. 1400
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
The story of Jonah and the Whale, mentioned in the Qur'an (37:139), was popular in the Muslim world and frequently illustrated in manuscripts of world history. This large-scale painting, however, never formed part of a manuscript. Rather, it may have been used during oral recitation or storytelling. Scholars have also suggested that with its strong palette, monumental figures, and spare composition, this work may reflect a now-lost wall painting tradition. Here, we see Jonah after his release from the belly of the fish. Above him, a gourd vine grows—sent by God to protect him from the elements—and, gliding across the top of the painting, a spirited angel with colorful spreading wings offers Jonah a garment.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Jonah and the Whale", Folio Probably from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)
  • Date: ca. 1400
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm)
    W. 19 1/2 in. (49.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1933
  • Object Number: 33.113
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"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
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Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
Sultan Muhammad
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Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
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ca. 1180
Folio from a Mu'nis al-ahrar fi daqa'iq al-ash'ar (The Free Man's Companion to the Subtleties of Poems) of Jajarmi, Muhammad ibn Badr al-Din Jajarmi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Folio from a Mu'nis al-ahrar fi daqa'iq al-ash'ar (The Free Man's Companion to the Subtleties of Poems) of Jajarmi
Muhammad ibn Badr al-Din Jajarmi
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