The Morgan Brings Its Islamic Manuscripts Exhibit Online
New York, NY, November 10, 2011—The Morgan Library & Museum has announced the launch of an extensive online exhibition in conjunction with its exhibition, Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan, on view through January 29, 2011.
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More than 120 religious and secular works from the Morgan's outstanding collection of Islamic manuscripts are presented, including thirty not in the museum exhibition. Magnifying capabilities bring rich details—often nearly hidden even from a short distance—into view, while accompanying commentary from exhibition curator William Voelkle provides context and insights.??
??The online presentation is divided into five sections: ????
Dating from the tenth through the nineteenth centuries, eighteen Qur'ans and Qur'an leaves reveal a wide range of decorative motifs and calligraphic styles. ????
Five illustrations from a thirteenth-century treatise on the benefits of animals—ranked among the ten most important Persian manuscripts in existence—mark the beginning of the Natural History and Astrology section. Also included are several works based on astronomy, cosmology, demonology, poetry, and mysticism.????
Over thirty illustrated manuscript pages depict a variety of scenes from the life of Persian mystic and poet Rumi, including a water monster begging Rumi's wife to intercede on his behalf, Rumi restoring his favorite flute player back to life, and the Prophet Muhammad reading Rumi's poetry. ????
The Read Persian Album, one of two disassembled albums that once belonged to Sir Hercules Read, a curator at the British Museum in the early twentieth century, contains exceptional depictions of secular subjects. Of special note are images of an Uzbek prisoner, a young lady reclining after her bath, and a fern whose surrounding ink drawings of plants and animals is visible only upon closer viewing.????
The second album, known as the Read Mughal Album, is particularly notable for its life-like portraits of Mughal rulers, and several composite drawings, such as an elephant, horse, and lion made of entwined animal and human figures.????
The importance of Persian poetry and poets is evident in their rich representation in the online exhibition. Thirty-six manuscripts illustrate some of the most beloved Persian poems, like Nizami's Khamsa, which includes the story of Laila and Majnun, the Persian Romeo and Juliet.????
Organization and Sponsorship
??The online exhibition was organized by William Voelkle, curator and head of the Department of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, and Dan Friedman, Web site Manager and Designer. It will remain a permanent resource on the Morgan's Web site at http://www.themorgan.org/islamic.????
The exhibition is supported in part by a generous grant from the Hagop Kevorkian Fund and by the Janine Luke and Melvin R. Seiden Fund for Exhibitions and Publications.
????Related exhibition????
The online exhibition is presented in conjunction with Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan, an exhibition at the Morgan of more than ninety manuscripts, single illuminated pages, and Qur'ans. It marks the first time the Morgan has gathered its collection of Islamic manuscripts together in a single exhibition. On view through January 29, 2012.
????Related programs????
Reading the Qur'an: The Contemporary Relevance of the Sacred Text of Islam ??With Ziauddin Sardar??
Thursday, November 17, 6:30 p.m.* ??
In his new book Reading the Qur'an, Ziauddin Sardar, one of Britain's leading cultural critics, provides an illuminating and highly personal look at the Qur'an and its role in Islam today. Sardar speaks out for a more open, less doctrinaire approach to reading the Qur'an, arguing that it is not fixed in stone for all time, but rather a dynamic text which every generation must encounter anew. Presented in cooperation with Asia Society & Museum.??
Tickets: $15 for Non-Members, $10 for Morgan and Asia Society Members??
*The exhibition Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan will be open at 5:30 p.m. especially for program attendees.????
Gallery Talk: Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan
??Friday, November 18, 7 p.m.??
William M. Voelkle, Curator and Department Head, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, with Zahra Partovi, Rumi translator.
??Free with museum admission????
Adult Art Workshop: An Art of Measure and Harmony: The Arabic Letterform
??Friday, December 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
??After a brief tour of the exhibition Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan, calligrapher Elinor Aishah Holland will demonstrate the method of preparing paper, cutting a qalam (pen), and writing Arabic letters. Participants will then be invited to carefully observe the twenty-eight independent Arabic letter forms in the style called Thuluth. Using traditional tools and materials, they will experiment with and draw the letters themselves. In keeping with tradition, they will learn the ancient system of proportional measurement governing Arabic letterform to create harmonious and meaningful lines.??
Tickets: $20 for Non-Members; $15 for Members????
The Morgan Library & Museum??
The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of the preeminent collectors and cultural benefactors in the United States. Today, more than a century after its founding in 1906, the Morgan serves as a museum, independent research library, musical venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. In October 2010, the Morgan completed the first-ever restoration of its original McKim building, Pierpont Morgan's private library, and the core of the institution. In tandem with the 2006 expansion project by architect Renzo Piano, the Morgan now provides visitors unprecedented access to its world-renowned collections of drawings, literary and historical manuscripts, musical scores, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, printed books, and ancient Near Eastern seals and tablets. ????
General Information
??The Morgan Library & Museum??
225 Madison Avenue, at 36th Street??
New York, NY 10016-3405
??212.685.0008??
www.themorgan.org????
Hours??Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; extended Friday hours, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Morgan closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.????
Admission??
$15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors (65 and over), and children (under 16); free to Members and children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Admission is free on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is not required to visit the Morgan Shop.
??
More than 120 religious and secular works from the Morgan's outstanding collection of Islamic manuscripts are presented, including thirty not in the museum exhibition. Magnifying capabilities bring rich details—often nearly hidden even from a short distance—into view, while accompanying commentary from exhibition curator William Voelkle provides context and insights.??
??The online presentation is divided into five sections: ????
Dating from the tenth through the nineteenth centuries, eighteen Qur'ans and Qur'an leaves reveal a wide range of decorative motifs and calligraphic styles. ????
Five illustrations from a thirteenth-century treatise on the benefits of animals—ranked among the ten most important Persian manuscripts in existence—mark the beginning of the Natural History and Astrology section. Also included are several works based on astronomy, cosmology, demonology, poetry, and mysticism.????
Over thirty illustrated manuscript pages depict a variety of scenes from the life of Persian mystic and poet Rumi, including a water monster begging Rumi's wife to intercede on his behalf, Rumi restoring his favorite flute player back to life, and the Prophet Muhammad reading Rumi's poetry. ????
The Read Persian Album, one of two disassembled albums that once belonged to Sir Hercules Read, a curator at the British Museum in the early twentieth century, contains exceptional depictions of secular subjects. Of special note are images of an Uzbek prisoner, a young lady reclining after her bath, and a fern whose surrounding ink drawings of plants and animals is visible only upon closer viewing.????
The second album, known as the Read Mughal Album, is particularly notable for its life-like portraits of Mughal rulers, and several composite drawings, such as an elephant, horse, and lion made of entwined animal and human figures.????
The importance of Persian poetry and poets is evident in their rich representation in the online exhibition. Thirty-six manuscripts illustrate some of the most beloved Persian poems, like Nizami's Khamsa, which includes the story of Laila and Majnun, the Persian Romeo and Juliet.????
Organization and Sponsorship
??The online exhibition was organized by William Voelkle, curator and head of the Department of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, and Dan Friedman, Web site Manager and Designer. It will remain a permanent resource on the Morgan's Web site at http://www.themorgan.org/islamic.????
The exhibition is supported in part by a generous grant from the Hagop Kevorkian Fund and by the Janine Luke and Melvin R. Seiden Fund for Exhibitions and Publications.
????Related exhibition????
The online exhibition is presented in conjunction with Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan, an exhibition at the Morgan of more than ninety manuscripts, single illuminated pages, and Qur'ans. It marks the first time the Morgan has gathered its collection of Islamic manuscripts together in a single exhibition. On view through January 29, 2012.
????Related programs????
Reading the Qur'an: The Contemporary Relevance of the Sacred Text of Islam ??With Ziauddin Sardar??
Thursday, November 17, 6:30 p.m.* ??
In his new book Reading the Qur'an, Ziauddin Sardar, one of Britain's leading cultural critics, provides an illuminating and highly personal look at the Qur'an and its role in Islam today. Sardar speaks out for a more open, less doctrinaire approach to reading the Qur'an, arguing that it is not fixed in stone for all time, but rather a dynamic text which every generation must encounter anew. Presented in cooperation with Asia Society & Museum.??
Tickets: $15 for Non-Members, $10 for Morgan and Asia Society Members??
*The exhibition Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan will be open at 5:30 p.m. especially for program attendees.????
Gallery Talk: Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan
??Friday, November 18, 7 p.m.??
William M. Voelkle, Curator and Department Head, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts, with Zahra Partovi, Rumi translator.
??Free with museum admission????
Adult Art Workshop: An Art of Measure and Harmony: The Arabic Letterform
??Friday, December 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
??After a brief tour of the exhibition Treasures of Islamic Manuscript Painting from the Morgan, calligrapher Elinor Aishah Holland will demonstrate the method of preparing paper, cutting a qalam (pen), and writing Arabic letters. Participants will then be invited to carefully observe the twenty-eight independent Arabic letter forms in the style called Thuluth. Using traditional tools and materials, they will experiment with and draw the letters themselves. In keeping with tradition, they will learn the ancient system of proportional measurement governing Arabic letterform to create harmonious and meaningful lines.??
Tickets: $20 for Non-Members; $15 for Members????
The Morgan Library & Museum??
The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of the preeminent collectors and cultural benefactors in the United States. Today, more than a century after its founding in 1906, the Morgan serves as a museum, independent research library, musical venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. In October 2010, the Morgan completed the first-ever restoration of its original McKim building, Pierpont Morgan's private library, and the core of the institution. In tandem with the 2006 expansion project by architect Renzo Piano, the Morgan now provides visitors unprecedented access to its world-renowned collections of drawings, literary and historical manuscripts, musical scores, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, printed books, and ancient Near Eastern seals and tablets. ????
General Information
??The Morgan Library & Museum??
225 Madison Avenue, at 36th Street??
New York, NY 10016-3405
??212.685.0008??
www.themorgan.org????
Hours??Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; extended Friday hours, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Morgan closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.????
Admission??
$15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors (65 and over), and children (under 16); free to Members and children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Admission is free on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is not required to visit the Morgan Shop.
