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Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham of Balkh Visited by Angels

Unknown

1740

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Baroque Mughal Painting 18th Century Religious

Dominant colour

Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham of Balkh Visited by Angels is a 1740 unspecified by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1740 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a man in a cave, wrapped in a simple robe, meditating under a tree. Five angels float above him, glowing softly against a dark, rocky background. This painting comes from Rajasthan, where artists often told stories of saints and kings who gave up power for faith. The angels here aren’t just decoration—they’re proof, in the story, that Ibrahim’s choice was holy. The colors are bright but flat, like a comic book, which was common in this region’s art. If you like this quiet, story-driven style, look up the Rajput kingdom of Bundi.

The story of this work

Overview

Sultan Ibrahim ibn Adham was the King of Balkh in present-day Afghanistan, born around 730, but later abdicated his throne to take up ascetic life in Syria. Sufi legends claim that Ibrahim in the wilderness was fed by angels. In the painting, Ibrahim can be seen in a cave and meditating under a tree, while five angles appear in front of him.