Page of disasters, from the Tarikh-i Alfi (History of the Thousand [Years])c. 1595 · Study 1932.36.a

Context from the museum

The 1,000th anniversary of Islam, according to the Hijri calendar followed by the Mughals and all Muslims, occurred during Akbar’s reign in 1592. He commemorated this milestone in many ways, including the commissioning of a new history of the Islamic world since the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632. The episode discussed on this page took place during the 800s, when hailstorms beset Egypt and an earthquake hit Syria. The ruling caliph at the time was strongly prejudiced against Muslims who belonged to the Shi‘ite branch of Islam. Akbar seemed to be asking his artists to emphasize the natural disasters that took place, suggesting that they occurred as a result of the ruler’s intolerance.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

Devastation after an earthquake includes a horse trapped under a fallen pavilion.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Page of disasters, from the Tarikh-i Alfi (History of the Thousand [Years]) is 22.6 cm wide and 41 cm high, equivalent to approximately 8.9 × 16.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.55:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.09 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 7.5% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 138.7 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Page of disasters, from the Tarikh-i Alfi (History of the Thousand [Years]) in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 22.6 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?