The Mirab & the Minbar Gami Ibn Tooloon

Howard employs delicate watercolor washes, allowing soft hues to merge and create subtle gradients of light and shadow. Gentle brushwork renders the texture of the tent’s drapery and the stone or wood of the minbar, producing a sense of depth without harsh contrasts.

The six sketches, including this watercolor, were part of a collection offered for sale at Christie’s on 11 February 1969, as recorded by auction specialist Rodney Searight. Their provenance traces back to the late‑19th‑century production by Howard, an English illustrator known for travel and architectural subjects.

Created during a period when Western artists frequently documented exotic locales, the image reflects Victorian interest in Islamic architecture and daily life. The minbar, a central element of mosque interiors, serves as a visual anchor for viewers unfamiliar with such spaces.