Ibrahim Adham Visited by Two Angels - Mid-1700's.

Ibrahim Adham Visted by Two Angels. India, Oudh, mid-18th Century. Gouache and gold on paper; mounted on an album page with gilt borders and bright flowers; depicting the ascetic, Ibrahim Adham, meditating before a fire in a landscape under moonlight, the angels standing before him bearing gifts; the reverse with a central rosebush, butterflies at top and peacocks at bottom surrounded by gilt foliate borders.

Folio: 16 13/16 x 10 3/8 in. (42.7 x 26.4 cm.); Image: 7 x 4 1/8 in. (17.8 x 10.5 cm.).

Lot Notes: Ibrahim Adham was a 9th century Sultan of Balkh, who after receiving visionary dreams, renounced the world to live the life of an ascetic. The Sufi saint was cared for by angels, which became a popular theme in 18th century Mughal painting.

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