Manuscript of the Spiritual Words from Greek Philosophy with Sayings of the Philosophers Accompanied with Their Portraits (Al-Kalimat al-Ruhaniyya min al-Hikam al-Yunaniyya fi Kalimat al-Hukama' wa Ashkalihim)
Iraq, Baghdad, late 13th century, Attributed Calligrapher: Yaqut al-Musta'simi (d. 1290), Attributed Painter: Mahmoud b. Abi'l-Mahasin al-Qashi, Ink, gold, and opaque watercolour on paper
AKM283

Manuscript of the Spiritual Words from Greek Philosophy with Sayings of the Philosophers Accompanied with Their Portraits (Al-Kalimat al-Ruhaniyya min al-Hikam al-Yunaniyya fi Kalimat al-Hukama' wa Ashkalihim)
Iraq, Baghdad, late 13th century, Attributed Calligrapher: Yaqut al-Musta'simi (d. 1290), Attributed Painter: Mahmoud b. Abi'l-Mahasin al-Qashi, Ink, gold, and opaque watercolour on paper
AKM283

These digital images, from the manuscript of Spiritual Words from Greek Philosophy with Sayings of the Philosophers Accompanied with their Portraits on view in the permanent gallery, feature wise maxims in Arabic attributed to Greek philosophers and notables. The manuscript, produced in thirteenth-century Baghdad, includes 13 illustrations showing ancient Greek philosophers and scientists such as Hippocrates, Diogenes, and Aristotle. Alexander the Great (Arabic, Iskandar) appears seated on his throne (fol. 19r) surrounded by scholars, including his beloved teacher Aristotle, whose exchange of letters with the great traveller and conqueror was translated into many languages across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Attributed Calligrapher: Yaqut al-Musta’simi (d. 1290) Attributed Painter: Mahmoud b. Abi’l-Mahasin al-Qashi

Aga Khan Museum

late 13th century

Aga Khan Museum

Aga Khan Museum

Materials: Ink, gold, and opaque watercolour on paper

Arabic

AKM 283

Iraq, Baghdad