Mohammed RACIM (1896-1975)

Illuminated page of the Koran, on strong cardboard, signed lower left and located in Algiers. H. 43 cm - L. 32 cm at sight AP Text: Al-Fatiha is the opening sura or prologue of the Koran, composed of seven verses of which we give the translation: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. It is You Whom we worship, and it is You Whom we ask for help. Guide us to the Straight Path, The way of those whom Thou hast favored with favors, not of those who have incurred Thy wrath, nor of those who have gone astray The decoration: a first and rich floral decoration in frames in dominant shades of light or dark blue, associated with motifs enhanced with gold. The sura, in the centre, is presented in a golden frieze, punctuated by several frames with a floral motif different from the first. Each verse is itself inserted into a rich gilded decoration. This is a superb specimen of illumination, in a broad and balanced movement, which Racim Mohammed specialised in when he founded the Algerian school of miniature painting. The cardboard, yellowed on the borders, does not affect the decoration. Among his many achievements, let us mention the illustration, with Léon Carré, of the Thousand and One Nights, in 12 volumes. The National Museum of Fine Arts in Algiers paid him a tribute in 1980.