id:			118472
accession number:	1939.507.a
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1939.507.a
updated:		2023-01-10 21:05:57.779000

Page from a Qur'an, Sura al-Nisa 4, Verses 157–58, 1100s. Seljuk Iran. Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 32 x 21.3 cm (12 5/8 x 8 3/8 in.); text area: 23 x 16 cm (9 1/16 x 6 5/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1939.507.a

title:				Page from a Qur'an, Sura al-Nisa 4, Verses 157–58
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			1100s
creation date earliest:		1100
creation date latest:		1196
current location:		
creditline:			Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
copyright:			

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culture:	Seljuk Iran
technique:	opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
department:	Islamic Art
collection:	Islamic Art
type:		Manuscript
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Overall: 32 x 21.3 cm (12 5/8 x 8 3/8 in.); Text area: 23 x 16 cm (9 1/16 x 6 5/16 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

	inscription:	157: And for their saying, "We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God." In fact, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him. 
158: Rather, God raised him up to Himself. God is Mighty and Wise.
	translation:	
	remark:		

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		Art: The International Language
	opening date:   1956-10-02T04:00:00
	<i>Art: The International Language</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art (October 2-November 4, 1956).

	title:		Islamic art rotation
	opening date:   2014-12-18T05:00:00
	<i>Islamic art rotation</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 18, 2014-December 14, 2015).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

	(Heeramaneck Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
	date: ?-1939
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


	The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
	date: 1939-
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact:
Calligraphers and poets enjoyed higher status than painters and architects in Islamic countries.

digital description:


wall description:
Arabic calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, was elevated above all other art forms in the Islamic world because Allah, or God, revealed the divine word of Islam to the Prophet Muhammad (570–632) in the Arabic language. This Qur'an page is considered one of the most splendid examples of Arabic calligraphy. Based on the proportions of Arabic letters, majestic eastern Kufic script features attenuated letters with long upstrokes and low strokes swaying to the left. Contours echoing the letters separate the sacred text from the lively arabesque background. This vertical layout on paper replaces the earlier horizontal format on parchment.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1939.507.a/1939.507.a_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1939.507.a/1939.507.a_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1939.507.a/1939.507.a_full.tif