Drawing of an Angel
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Ink and gold on paper
Dimensions
H. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm) W. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, 2004
Accession Number
2004.35
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Drawing of an Angel*, by an unknown artist in the 16 century, exemplifies the exquisite miniature tradition of Islamic art. Rendered in ink and gold on paper, it measures just 5 1/ by 2 7/8 inches, a size perfectly suited for inclusion in aex—a bound manuscript often used for religious texts, poetry, or scientific works. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Department, it was acquired through the Louis E. and S. Seley Purchase in 2004. In the vibrant artistic centers of the 16th century—such as Safavid Persia or the Ottoman Empire—such illustrations brought spirit...