Miniature from a copy of al-Sarai’s Nahj al-Faradis (The Paths of Paradise)
Iran, Herat; c. 1465
Leaf: 41.1 × 29.7 cm
Inventory number 14/2014 recto & verso
The museum’s five other paintings from this Timurid manuscript illustrate the Prophet Muhammad’s encounters with angels on his way to Paradise and depict its gates.
In this miniature, Muhammad has continued his journey. He is shown with eyes lowered as he is met by Malik, the gatekeeper to Hell (Jahannam), who is armed with a club, and Gabriel, who looks rather downcast. They stand on either side of the red Gates of Hell, beyond which we can see its eternally blazing flames.
The reverse shows the Prophet and Gabriel inside Hell, where they behold the terrifying Zaqqum Tree and sinners whose tongues are being cut out by demons with red skin.
In this miniature, Muhammad has continued his journey. He is shown with eyes lowered as he is met by Malik, the gatekeeper to Hell (Jahannam), who is armed with a club, and Gabriel, who looks rather downcast. They stand on either side of the red Gates of Hell, beyond which we can see its eternally blazing flames.
The reverse shows the Prophet and Gabriel inside Hell, where they behold the terrifying Zaqqum Tree and sinners whose tongues are being cut out by demons with red skin.
Published in
Published in
verso
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 28;
Johanne Louise Christiansen: “Det ensomme bæst: Koranens manglende monstre,” Bibliana, 1, 2019 [Online];
Ivan Z. Sørensen: Albondocani: Blixen og islam. Med Karen Blixens Kongesønnerne, København 2022, fig, 9, p. 31;
Adriana Proser (ed.): Comparative Hell : arts of Asian underworlds, Asia Society Museum, New York 2023, cat.no. 21, pp. 130, 132-133;
Christiane Gruber: “The Tree as an 'Animal-esque Plant' (Nabat Hayawani): Arboreal Thoughtscapes in Islamic Lands”, CrossCurrents, 74: 3, 2024, p. 250, fig. 3;
recto
Mette de Hemmer Bjerregaard: “Koranens almægtige gud og menneskets frie valg: Et uløseligt paradoks,?” Bibliana, 2, 2022 [Online];
Adriana Proser (ed.): Comparative Hell : arts of Asian underworlds, Asia Society Museum, New York 2023, cat.no. 21, pp. 130-131;
recto and verso
Paul John Frandsen: ”Samtale med en mumie og andre røster fra graven,” Papyrus, 44:2, 2024, figs.9 a and b, pp. 32-33;
Kjeld von Folsach, Joachim Meyer: The Human Figure in Islamic Art – Holy Men, Princes, and Commoners, The David Collection, Copenhagen 2017, cat.no. 28;
Johanne Louise Christiansen: “Det ensomme bæst: Koranens manglende monstre,” Bibliana, 1, 2019 [Online];
Ivan Z. Sørensen: Albondocani: Blixen og islam. Med Karen Blixens Kongesønnerne, København 2022, fig, 9, p. 31;
Adriana Proser (ed.): Comparative Hell : arts of Asian underworlds, Asia Society Museum, New York 2023, cat.no. 21, pp. 130, 132-133;
Christiane Gruber: “The Tree as an 'Animal-esque Plant' (Nabat Hayawani): Arboreal Thoughtscapes in Islamic Lands”, CrossCurrents, 74: 3, 2024, p. 250, fig. 3;
recto
Mette de Hemmer Bjerregaard: “Koranens almægtige gud og menneskets frie valg: Et uløseligt paradoks,?” Bibliana, 2, 2022 [Online];
Adriana Proser (ed.): Comparative Hell : arts of Asian underworlds, Asia Society Museum, New York 2023, cat.no. 21, pp. 130-131;
recto and verso
Paul John Frandsen: ”Samtale med en mumie og andre røster fra graven,” Papyrus, 44:2, 2024, figs.9 a and b, pp. 32-33;
Miniature Paintings
Miniature from a copy of Muhammad ibn Husam’s Khawarannama (Book of the East). ‘Malik Lifts Abu’l Mihjan from the Saddle’
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘The Battle Between Kay Khusraw and the King of Makran’
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘Kay Khusraw Marches to Gudarz’s Rescue’
Miniature from a copy of Firdawsi’s Shahnama. ‘The Iranians Seek Refuge on Mount Hamavan, While the Turanians Inspect Their Deserted Camp’