Rumi: A Life in Pictures

by John Renard

Picturing the life story of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, a premier Muslim mystic and the original Whirling Dervish, the images in three extant manuscripts of Aflaki’s Wondrous Feats of the Knowers of God provide a unique way to interpret the text. Part History and Context provides the medieval Anatolian historical setting; the broad contours of literary and artistic works of Islamic Hagiography; and the specific details of the three manuscripts to be explored. Part Text and Image proposes a method for interpreting a hybrid literary-visual document as a grand narrative of the Family Rumi at the inspirational and ethical core of a virtuous flourishing within a complex Muslim society under divine providence. Pictures in the three manuscripts were produced by studios of painters under the patronage of major late 16th-century Ottoman sultans. The result of their efforts is a kind of ‘visualised hagiography’ uniquely capable of suggesting distinctive and often surprising twists on the narratives, enhancing the text with images of striking beauty and rich detail.

296 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2021

Reviews

[Hit No · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumi: Life in Pictures is a richly produced and intellectually engaging volume that blends striking visual presentation with substantive, university-level narrative. The photographs are of consistently high quality — carefully curated, well-lit, and contextually placed to illuminate Rumi’s world. Rather than simply offering a coffee-table browsing experience, the book situates these images within a thoughtful framework, connecting architecture, landscapes, manuscripts, and artefacts to the broader arc of Rumi’s life and influence.

The text avoids oversimplification, assuming the reader has an interest in or familiarity with cultural and historical context. It is as much a visual academic companion as it is an art book, making it especially appealing to those who want both aesthetic pleasure and intellectual depth. The result is a work that can serve equally well as an introduction for serious newcomers and as a resource for scholars who appreciate the synergy of image and interpretation.

Verdict: A beautiful and stimulating work that transcends the “illustrated biography” category, pairing exceptional photographic quality with an informative, well-structured narrative.