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"The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus", Folio from a Falnama (Book of Omens)

1550s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 462
This exceptionally large folio depicts seven Christian men, known as the Seven Sleepers and their dog Qitmir, who escaped persecution by miraculously sleeping in a cave for 309 years. The contrasts between the dark cave and the colorful rocks, the commotion outside and the peaceful sleepers inside reinforce the narrative. The crowned figure on a white horse, most likely the Roman emperor Decius (ruled 249-51 AD) who persecuted the men, is led by Satan, portrayed here with dark skin, a white beard and a serpent emerging from his neck. The picture would have faced a text page that contains a positive augury.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus", Folio from a Falnama (Book of Omens)
  • Date: 1550s
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, Qazvin
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 23 in. (58.4 cm)
    W. 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm)
    Mat : H. 28 in. (71.1 cm)
    W. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
    Frame: H. 30 1/2 in. (77.5 cm)
    W. 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1935
  • Object Number: 35.64.3
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"Coffin of Imam 'Ali", Folio from a Falnama (The Book of Omens) of Ja'far al-Sadiq, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
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Kitab suwar al-kawakib al-thabita (Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars) of al-Sufi, `Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi Iranian, Ink and gold on paper; leather binding
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