Qur'an of Ibrahim Sultan 1402 - 1452

Curator: What strikes me immediately about this page from the "Qur'an of Ibrahim Sultan," dating back to somewhere between 1402 and 1452, is how jewel-like it feels. Like holding a secret garden in your hands. The Met has this beauty, created using tempera and calligraphy. Editor: Secret garden, yes, but one built on incredibly rigid structures. You have the central block of text, the intricate border—everything shouts control, order imposed upon...something. A spiritual experience, perhaps? It is a beautiful example of Islamic miniature, no doubt, a cultural product but still deeply personal. Curator: I think you've hit on something. Calligraphy, especially of this caliber, isn't just about writing; it’s a devotional act. Imagine the concentration, the hours spent perfecting each stroke, each flourish! The tempera too; think about the vibrant colours that illuminate those floral arabesques. All in service of the divine word. Editor: But even those “divine” expressions operate within specific patronage systems. The art market today is a shadow of how rulers once dictated the flow of art. Here we have Ibrahim Sultan, a Timurid prince. Commissioning a copy of the Qur’an solidifies his status. So, is this divine, or dynastic? Perhaps a bit of both? The artist no doubt brought devotion and his individual flourishes. Still, who ultimately dictates what survives is determined not in a vacuum, but inside a political context, doesn't it? Curator: Of course, these commissions are always about power dynamics as well as faith; but that does not detract from its beauty and profound meditative depth. The rhythm and geometry embedded into calligraphy mirror our inner and outer worlds. This object carries profound artistic power through this. To spend time in its presence offers us, still, even here and now, such intimacy with creation. Editor: Intimacy, that's beautifully put. It is intriguing how one single artwork can illuminate not just one historical moment, but also wider networks of faith and power and continuing connections through this cultural heritage to our world today.