Who painted Folio from a Qur'an?

Folio from a Qur'an was painted by Unknown in 850.

Where can I see Folio from a Qur'an?

Folio from a Qur'an is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Folio from a Qur'an

Folio from a Qur'an is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 850 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This folio presents a single leaf from an early Qur’anic manuscript, rendered in black ink on a plain cream parchment.

About this work

You see a single page from an old Qur’an, filled with bold, angular Arabic letters in black ink.

You see a single page from an old Qur’an, filled with bold, angular Arabic letters in black ink. The script sits on a plain cream background, with no pictures—just words.

This page uses Kufic script, the oldest style of Arabic calligraphy. It was made when copying the Qur’an by hand was a sacred act, not just writing. The letters are stretched wide, giving the page a strong, balanced look.

To see more pages like this, look up the Abbasid period (750–1258).

Overview

This folio presents a single leaf from an early Qur’anic manuscript, rendered in black ink on a plain cream parchment. The page is occupied entirely by bold, angular Arabic letters arranged in a wide, balanced composition, without any decorative illustration.

Technique & Style

The text is written in the earliest form of Arabic calligraphy known as Kufic script, characterized by its elongated horizontal strokes and geometric precision. Vowel markings appear as small red dots, while gold triangles denote the termination of each verse, reflecting the manuscript’s devotional purpose.

Subject & Meaning

The recto contains verses describing a dialogue in which Lucifer claims superiority over humanity, citing his fiery origin compared with humans’ clay composition. The verso records God’s response, condemning Lucifer’s pride and expelling him from heaven.

Context

Kufic script was prevalent in the first centuries of Islam and is typical of Qur’anic copies produced during the Abbasid era (750–1258). At that time, the act of hand‑copying the Qur’an was regarded as a sacred ritual, and the script’s austere aesthetic underscored the reverence afforded to the divine text.

History & Provenance

The folio originates from one of the oldest surviving Qur’anic codices, though the precise origin and subsequent ownership are not documented. Its material and stylistic features align it with early Islamic manuscript production in the Middle East.