Portrait of a Sufi

Unknown

first quarter 17th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

The primitive fur, the alms bowl, the flute, and the trance-like meditative state identify this figure as a dervish, or a sufi, a Muslim mystic who has renounced the material aspects of existence. The sense of abstract patterning in the fur and in the man's crossed limbs, combined with the distinctive palette featuring pink and sky blue, suggest an origin in the Deccan, possibly Bijapur. The invocation at the lower left, "Oh Prophet of the House of Hashim from thee comes help," referring to the prophet Muhammad, is in Persian.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first quarter 17th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956