An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Dragon in foliage with lion and phoenix headsmid-1500s
Sahkulu
A dragon lunges toward a pearl in the form of a seal inscribed with a verse from the Koran: “And I commit my case unto God” (40:44). In his front claw, the dragon grasps two flowering branches that magically produce a variety of blooms, including a lion that bites the dragon’s neck and a phoenix, who competes for the pearl.<br> <br>Sahkulu was trained by Persian artists, as were many artists of Mughal India during the 1500s. He joined the Ottoman imperial painting atelier in Istanbul in 1526 and became the head in 1545.
The lion head and phoenix head are part of the foliage, like fantastical blossoms.
Ink, gum tempera, and gold on paper
Sheet: 17.3 x 40.2 cm (6 13/16 x 15 13/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Once upon a time, in the heart of a vibrant world where artistry breathed life into every moment, a magnificent dragon soared through a lush, emerald sky. Its scales shimmered like the most precious jewels, catching the sun’s warm embrace, as it lunged with fierce determination toward an iridescent pearl. This wasn't just any pearl; it was a delicate seal, etched with an inspiring verse from the Koran: “And I commit my case unto God” (40:44). The words seemed to shimmer, resonating with deep conviction.
As the dragon stretched forth its powerful claw, it clutched not just the pearl, but two flowering branches—each bursting with a riot of blooms in every conceivable color. These flowers were alive with magic, almost as if they held their own stories; intertwined in their petals, one could find a lion, fiercely biting the dragon’s neck, and a majestic phoenix, rising like a flame, vying for the same treasured pearl. The scene was a whirlwind of vitality, a saga of competition mingling with beauty.
This fantastical image is brought to life by the talented hand of Sahkulu, a painter steeped in the rich traditions of Persian artistry. Like many of his contemporaries from Mughal India, he drew from a wellspring of cultural influences that coursed through the 1500s. In the year 1526, destiny brought Sahkulu to the grand Ottoman imperial painting atelier in Istanbul, where he honed his craft and eventually ascended to the revered position of head artist in 1545.
In the creative sanctum of the atelier, Sahkulu transformed the canvas, his brush strokes echoing tales etched in history. The dragon, the lion, the phoenix—all danced before his eyes, intertwining in a narrative that reveals the heart of humanity's timeless struggles, aspirations, and dreams. Through his artistry, he reminded the world that even amidst fierce competition and chaos, there exists a profound beauty in the stories we weave, as we too reach for our own pearls of wisdom and peace.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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