Calligraphy from a ghazal of Fakhr al-Din Iraqi (Persian, 1213–1289) and a verse from the Tuhfat al-ahrar (The Gift of the Free) of Abd al-Rahman Jami (verso)
Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
31.1 × 26.2 cm
Classification
Calligraphy
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection
Accession Number
2013.349.b
Tags
About this artwork
The first two lines in Persian read: Once again, Iraqi broke his vows: From the cup of love he became intoxicated and ecstatic. The excerpt from the mystic poet Jami is more of a pious injunction: Until you are bold enough to take to the seas, You will not reap spiritual benefits from your inner heart. Unless you pitch your tent next to the spiritual guide, You will not enjoy him to the fullest.