Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti
Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti was a 13th‑century Iraqi‑Arab painter and calligrapher. He is best known for writing and illustrating al-Hariri’s Maqamat, created around 1237 CE. He was probably born in Wasit, south of Baghdad. In 1237, he copied and illustrated a famous collection of stories by Al-Hariri of Basra, known as the Maqamat or the Assemblies, a series of social satire. Al-Wasiti’s drawings are among the finest examples of 13th‑century Islamic art, with strong composition, expressive figures, and bright but controlled colors. The illustrations give a vivid glimpse into life in 13th‑century Islamic society and helped inspire the modern Baghdad art movement in the 20th century. Little else is known about his life. The Maqamat contains 96 illustrations, all by al-Wasiti.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 02:12 (CET).