early life and reign abu abd allah al-sheikh muhammad ibn yahya, also known by his regnal name, was the first wattasid sultan of morocco and king of fez, reigning from 1472 to 1504. born in tazouta, morocco, in 1436, he was the son of yahya ibn muhammad al-sheikh, the wattasid regent of the marinid sultanate. the artist's legacy despite his prominent role as a ruler, abu abd allah al-sheikh muhammad ibn yahya's artistic endeavors are not well-documented. however, it is known that he welcomed deportees from spain with open arms, earning him the title of "the righteous among the nations" by rab…