People of the Prophet's House with Companions

Rahim Kashani

dated A.H. 1301/1883 CE · Oil on canvas · Islamic Art

This is a striking image of the Prophet Muhammad, his son in-law, and cousin, Ali, his grandsons and closest companions, all identified by inscriptions. The Prophet is depicted at the center of the composition without a face-veil as he stares out at the viewer. Only the Prophet's family bear radiant haloes. A curious and rare feature of this painting is that it includes images of the two Rightly Guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr and Umar) who are portrayed with their backs to the viewer. The painting is both signed and dated and includes the name of the patron. It is a powerful Shi'i devotional image of the type that was collected by the wealthy elite and merchants in the second half of the nineteenth century.

Artist

Rahim Kashani

Date

dated A.H. 1301/1883 CE

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, 2017 and 2018 NoRuz at The Met Benefit, 2020