Accession Number
2003/1.382

Title
Qur'anic Verse

Artist(s)
Khaled al-Saa'i

Object Creation Date
2002

Medium & Support
ink on dyed paper

Dimensions
12 in x 23 7/8 in (30.4 cm x 60.7 cm);22 1/16 in x 28 1/16 in (56.04 cm x 71.28 cm);12 1/16 in x 24 in (30.7 cm x 61 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of the artist

Label copy
The work is an example of the classical "Diwâni jali" script, a script that evolved at the court of the Ottoman Turkish empire. The text is from the Qu'ran, chapter 6 (Al-Anaam), Verse 59: "With him are the keys of the Unseen, the treasures that none knows but He. He knows whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf does fall but with His knowledge. There is not a grain in the darkness [or depths] of the earth, nor anything fresh nor dry [green or withered], but is [inscribed] in a Record clear [to those who can read]."
The brown ink in this work was handmade by the artist from walnut and tobacco juice. The overall text is in the shape of a sword.
Maribeth Graybill, Senior Curator of Asian Art, March 10, 2003

Primary Object Classification
Unbound Work

Primary Object Type
leaf

Additional Object Classification(s)
Drawing

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Islamic
Qur'an
calligraphy