Happy #EidAlAdha ! On this day, Muslims celebrate Ibrahim/Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son at God's command. This is an oft-illustrated scene in Islamic manuscripts, especially in world histories. Today I'd like to share some of these from our collection! #EidMubarak !

Oldest first! This painting is actually Armenian, created in 1311 by an artist named T'oros Sarkavag. It's now in the Berenson Collection. I love the lion-like face of the lamb and its confusion as the angel tosses it down the palm tree!

This image is from a 1425 mss. of the Majma' al-Tawarikh (Topkapi, H.1653) from Herat. Ishaq/Isaac is blindfolded, but w/ hands splayed out to accept his fate. The knotted clouds are an early example of Chinese style making its way to Persian painting via pottery

The next two are both from the late 16th c. This one is from Hadikatü's Süeda (TIEM 1967), a book recounting the lives of saints. Ishaq is again blindfolded, but what I love about this one is the angels literally raining holy fire on Ibrahim's head! Such an evocative image.

This 1583 painting is from a mss. of Lokman's Zübdetü't-Tevârîh (TIEM 1973). A very different style ! I find it interesting in this one that Ibrahim is making eye contact with the angel who is coming to save his son's life. Also he seems to be holding an axe, not a knife here!

This artist had a different take on the scene: Ibrahim is surprised by the angel from behind, as he attempts to hold down and sacrifice his son-- much more aggressive! I think the look on his face is so expertly crafted. This is f. 119a from the 15th c. Fatih Album (TSM H. 2153)

Now for fun, here are a few more modern portrayals: posters from 1940s Iran held by us at the Harvard Fine Arts Library! This first one is modeled after a Renaissance painting by the Florentine painter Andrea del Sarto. The composition and postures explicitly echo his work.

This second, more crowded scene shows hosts of angels embracing both Ibrahim and Ishaq. I love the portrayal of Mecca at the bottom, and the backdrop of the Kuh-i Mina, the mountain near Mecca, where, according to the Qur'an (37: 102-107), Ibrahim’s sacrifice took place.

Hope you enjoyed! #EidMubarak to all celebrating. And if you need something to keep yourself or the kids busy, we also released a free, downloadable coloring book using images from our Stuart Cary Welch Islamic & S Asian Photograph Collection yesterday! http://blogs.harvard.edu/finearts/2020/ 

Apologies for my mistake with the name of the son! https://twitter.com/menalibahs/status/1289243258640412675?s=21 https://twitter.com/menalibahs/status/1289243258640412675