March 2023
Mountain, Meadow, Citadel: The Many Landscapes of Afghanistan Rotation
In this painting from a copy of the Majma` al-tavarikh (Collection of Chronicles), the Prophet Muhammad, believed by Muslims to be the messenger of God, is shown encouraging his followers in the arduous task of building the mosque at Medina. Written by the historian Hafiz Abru (d. 1430), the text covers the history of the world from Adam through the reign of the Timurid emperor Shahrukh (r. 1405 –1447), who commissioned this copy in Herat. Drawing from Biblical, Islamic, Iranian, Chinese, and Mongol histories, it follows the model of an earlier Mongol compendium produced in Iran. 


June 2005
Tastes in Asian Art Installation
When Muhammad left Mecca to found the first Muslim community to the north in Medina, he began the construction of the first congregational prayer hall, known as a mosque. There, according to the text, one of the builders complained that he was bearing more than his share of the burden. The Prophet urged him to return to work. The mosque, made of brick, features a niche, known as a mihrab, which orients the faithful to the direction of Mecca - the direction in which they are to pray. At a later date the niche in this painting was been over painted, and the face of the Prophet rubbed out.
Last Updated: 3/21/2023