The Ascent of Muhammad to Heaven (Mi'raj) - Sultan Muhammad

A masterpiece of Safavid miniature painting by Sultan Muhammad, depicting the celestial ascent of the Prophet Muhammad amidst angels and divine light.

This exquisite miniature painting depicts the Mi'raj, the night journey and ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. Attributed to the master painter Sultan Muhammad, this work originates from the celebrated manuscript of the Khamseh of Nizami, commissioned for the Safavid Shah Tahmasp. The composition is organised around the central figure of the Prophet, who is mounted upon Buraq, a celestial creature with a human face. They are surrounded by a golden aureole of flames, signifying divine light, as they ascend through a deep blue sky filled with swirling, stylised clouds.

Numerous angels, rendered with delicate features and multi-coloured wings, surround the central pair. Some carry offerings of food or incense, while others observe the ascent from the periphery. The artist employs a high-altitude perspective, common in Persian manuscript illumination, which allows for the inclusion of multiple narrative elements within a single frame. The borders of the page are decorated with fine gold motifs, typical of the high-quality production found in the royal workshops of Tabriz during the sixteenth century.

Sultan Muhammad is recognised for his ability to integrate complex theological narratives with a sense of movement and decorative harmony. The use of lapis lazuli for the sky provides a stark contrast to the warm tones of the gold leaf and the varied colours of the angels' garments. Every element, from the precise brushwork on the faces to the rhythmic patterns of the clouds, demonstrates the technical mastery of the Safavid school. This print captures the detail of the original manuscript page, preserving the balance between the spiritual subject matter and the aesthetic refinement of the period.