Collection Online as of January 20, 2021
Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham of Balkh Visited by Angels
Gum tempera and gold on paper
Page: 24.2 x 32.8 cm (9 1/2 x 12 15/16 in.); Miniature: 17.2 x 25.7 cm (6 3/4 x 10 1/8 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.160
Location
not on view
Description
Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham was the King of Balkh in present-day Afghanistan, born around 730, but later abdicated his throne to take up ascetic life in Syria. Sufi legends claim that Ibrahim in the wilderness was fed by angels. In the painting, Ibrahim can be seen in a cave and meditating under a tree, while five angles appear in front of him.