About the Artwork
Calligraphy from the Late Shah Jahan Album (recto)
calligraphy between 1505 and 1545, borders between 1650 and 1658
(Artist) Mughal, Indian Mir 'Ali Haravi (Calligrapher) Persian, active ca. 1505 - 1545
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper
Overall: 15 3/16 × 9 7/8 inches (38.6 × 25.1 cm) Image: 7 1/4 × 3 3/4 inches (18.4 × 9.5 cm)
Paintings
Islamic Art
Museum Purchase, Robert H. Tannahill Foundation Fund
2019.98.A
This work is in the public domain.
Markings
Inscribed, in Nasta'liq, Text from the Orchard (Bustan) of Sa‘di (d. 1291), chapter IX; Concerning Repentance, followed by calligrapher signature: [translated by Shadi Shafiei: One day a singer filled my heart with angst / While playing their lute s/he sang these lines: / For years and years springtime will shine, / And roses will blossom-alas-without us. / Many summers, winters, and springs will pass, / While all we will be is just a fistful of dust. / Written by the sinful ‘Ali the scribe] [transliterated: Du baitam jigar kard rouzi kabâb / Ki miguft gouyandeh-i ba rubâb / Darighâ ki bi ma basi rouzegâr / Berouyad gul o beshkofad nobahâr. / Basi Tir o Day-mâh o Ordibehesht / Biyâyad ki mâ khâk bashim o khesht. / Katabahou al-muzannib ‘Ali al-Katib]
Provenance
between 1650-58, commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
1739, assumed to be looted by Afsharid ruler Nadir Shah and taken to Iran. late 19th century, taken to Russia by brother of Qajar ruler Nasir al-Din Shah
late 19th century, sold to Armenian dealer (Russia). 1909, purchased by (Georges Demotte [1877-1923], Paris, France). Leila Diba Collection (New York, New York, USA). Sarikhani Collection (London, England). Al Thani Collection (London, England and Paris, France)
consigned to (Christie's, New York, New York, USA)
2019-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)
For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:
Provenance pageExhibition History
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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.
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Suggest FeedbackPublished References
Hillenbrand, Robert, et. al. The Sarikhani Collection: An Introduction. London, 2011, p. 17 [portrait only].
The Palace Museum and the Al Thani Collection. Treasures from the Al Thani Collection. Beijing, 2018, cat. no. 177, pp. 462-465.
Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence. Sales cat., Christie's. New York, 2019, lot no. 76, pp. 106–107.
"Detroit Institute of Arts adds works to Native American collection, new works by women artists," Artdaily. Accessed on [November 4, 2021]. https://artdaily.cc/news/131545/Detroit-Institute-of-Arts-adds-works-to-Native-American-collection--new-works-by-women-artists#.YYQ0NWDMKUm.
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Credit Line for Reproduction
Mir 'Ali Haravi; Mughal, Indian, Calligraphy from the Late Shah Jahan Album (recto), calligraphy between 1505 and 1545, borders between 1650 and 1658, opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper. Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum Purchase, Robert H. Tannahill Foundation Fund, 2019.98.A.
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