Calligram in the Shape of a Sufi Cap
Calligrams use the shapes of the Arabic letters to create animate and inanimate forms. In this case the letters that make up the phrase, "Ya Mevlana Hazrat" or "Oh Mevlana, the Prophet," form the contours of a Sufi cap, reminiscent of caps worn by Sufis of the Mevlevi order. Mawlana is one of the famous mystic poet Jalal al-Din Rumi's titles. The owner of this folio may have looked to this folio for spiritual strength and a connection with Rumi. The artist's signature is seen at the lower left of the composition
Artwork Details
- Title: Calligram in the Shape of a Sufi Cap
- Date: late 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Attributed to Turkey, Istanbul
- Medium: Black ink, opaque watercolor, and shell gold on paper
- Dimensions: With Frame:
H. 13 in. (33 cm)
W. 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm)
D. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Gift of Jeri and Charles Garbaccio in honor of Josephine Berger-Nadler, 2023
- Object Number: 2023.571
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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ca. 1555–60
Painting by Mustafa ibn Vali
ca. 1595
Hatifi (Iranian, active Istanbul, died 1521)
dated 904 AH/1498–99 CE
Shah Quli (Turkish, born Tabriz, Iran, active ca. mid-16th century)
ca. 1540–50
ca. 1550–70
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