Incident in a Mosque (painting, recto; text, verso), folio 77r from a Divan (collected works) of Hafiz, left-hand side of a double page. c. 1530

Curator: This is folio 77r from a Divan of Hafiz, titled "Incident in a Mosque" and signed by Shaykh Zada. Editor: The composition feels so carefully constructed, yet chaotic with all the figures. What is the story being told here? Curator: It is a complex one; the mosque becomes a stage for social commentary. We see various groups—religious leaders, common folk, perhaps even dissenters—within the architectural confines. Editor: The positioning of the figures, their gestures…the colours, especially the blues and oranges…it’s all loaded with symbolic weight. Curator: Precisely, the artist uses the mosque setting to explore social dynamics, power structures, and the tensions inherent within a community. Consider who is elevated and who is at the bottom. Editor: I see that. It’s a vibrant document of the time, revealing how sacred spaces can become sites of contestation and negotiation of social order. Curator: Yes, and I love how it prompts us to question the relationship between faith, community, and individual expression. Editor: Indeed. It makes me think about the ever-present tension between the ideal and the reality in any community.