Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

"Caliph Al-Wathiq Killing the Rebel Ahmad Ibn Nasr", Folio from the Tarikh-i ‘Alfi

1592–94
Not on view
This folio from the manuscript Tarikh-i Alfi was created during the period of Emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605), one of the greatest patrons of Islamic arts in India. The work illustrates and describes the early history of Islam, and was created in honor of the millennial year A.H. 1000 (A.D. 1591–92).

This scene illustrates an episode from the life of the Abbasid Caliph al-Wathiq (r. 842–847). The caliph is shown here executing the rebel Ahmad ibn Nasr, who has been interrogated by a group of nearby scholars during the "Mihna" or "trials" of the Abbasid period. The artist has depicted the moment of the final blow by al-Wathiq's sword, as ibn Nasr's turban is knocked from his brow to the ground behind him, and the scholars express varying reactions to the violent scene.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Caliph Al-Wathiq Killing the Rebel Ahmad Ibn Nasr", Folio from the Tarikh-i ‘Alfi
  • Date: 1592–94
  • Geography: (none assigned) India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Folio:
    H. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm)
    W. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
    Image:
    H. 15 3/4 in. (40 cm)
    W. 8 5/8 in. (21.8 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2021
  • Object Number: 2021.47
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
"Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram' s Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper<br/>Margins: gold on dyed paper
"Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram' s Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Attributed to Miskin
1597–98
"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja, Nizami, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Farhad Carves a Milk Channel for Shirin", Folio 74 from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Nizami of Ganja
Multiple artists/makers
dated 931 AH/1524–25 CE
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Painting attributed to Miskin
1597–98
Flower-Style Box with Drawers, Wood (poplar); overlaid with ebony inlaid with wood and incised, stained ivory
Flower-Style Box with Drawers
17th century
Pierced Window Screen (Jali), Red sandstone; pierced, carved
Pierced Window Screen (Jali)
second half 16th century

Related Content

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.