Cleveland Museum of Art
Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham of Balkh Visited by Angels
- Date
- c. 1740
- Medium
- gum tempera and gold on paper
- Culture
- Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Bundi
- Department
- Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham was the King of Balkh in present-day Afghanistan, born around 730, but later abdicated his throne to take up ascetic life in Syria. Sufi legends claim that Ibrahim in the wilderness was fed by angels. In the painting, Ibrahim can be seen in a cave and meditating under a tree, while five angles appear in front of him. Two of the angels bring bottles of wine.
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