Ayuba Suleiman Diablo (aka Job Ben Solomon)

(1731) Annapolis, Maryland, USA:

"Upon our talking and making signs to him, he wrote a line or two before us, and when he read it, pronounced the words Allah and Mahommed; by which, and his refusing a glass of wine we offered him, we perceived he was a Mahometan, but could not imagine of what country he was, or how he got thither; for by his affable carriage, and the easy composure of his countenance, we could perceive he was no common slave.”

(1733) London, England:

"Job’s aversion to pictures of all sorts was exceeding great, insomuch that it was with great difficulty that he could be brought to sit for his own. We assured him that we never worshipped any picture, and that we wanted his for no other end but to keep us in mind of him.

He at last consented to have it drawn, which was done by Mr. Hoare. When the face was finished, Mr. Hoare asked what dress would be most proper to draw him in; and, upon Job’s desiring to be drawn in his own country dress, told him he could not draw it unless he had seen it, or had it described to him by one who had.

Upon which Job answered, ‘If you cannot draw a dress you never saw, why do some of you painters presume to draw God, whom no one ever saw?"

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