Calligraphic Portrait of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib
Calligraphy by Ibrahim Danishpishah (Zarin-Qalam)
Persian
This composition depicts `Ali ibn Abi Talib, Islam's fourth orthodox caliph and first Shi`i imam. In the smaller vignettes below, horsemen representing `Ali's grandsons Qasim and `Ali Akbar flank a central image in which the Prophet Muhammad riding Buraq is greeted by `Ali in the guise of a lion. The composition incorporates pious expressions and verses from the Qur'an (2:255; 12:64; and 113). The date has been slightly abraded so that it is easy to misread it as 1244 (1828-29) rather than 1344 (1924-25).
Ink, color and gold on paper
Qajar period