Late 18th Century Moghul Painting of the Emperor Shah Jahan

About the Item

This very detailed miniature work designed to be set into an album of works for private viewing is of the Great Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan and was painted in about 1780. Born into the great dynasty that ruled India descendant of Tamburlaine and Jenghiz Khan the Moghul empire was long-lived but erratic in its power base and in a dynastic rule. Known for the rise to power through murder and war, the list of rulers before Shah Jahan all related but intent on taking power are numerous and legendary. Shah Jahan himself battled and took control of the empire from his brothers and nephews and he himself was deposed by his son. The reign of Shah Jahan was marked most notably by the death of his beloved wife for whom he built the Taj Mahal as a shrine and tomb. An accomplished builder and lover of fine painting in the Moghul tradition Shah Jahan is pictured in this portrait wearing a jeweled red, gold & black turban, his head is encircled by a green and silvered nimbus or halo, his clothes consist of a gold floral embroidered purple patka with a jeweled Katar secured in his belt and holding a large jeweled curved sword. He stands among flowers and within a landscape setting with buildings and the horizon in the distant background. This is all done in opaque color and gold and silver on paper. The work is in typical form and does not come from his lifetime but shows the ruler at approximately 25 to 30 years of age. Painted about 125 years after his death this painting looks to have come from the Deccan region of India. The colors subdued and controlled are typical of paintings done in this vassal state region and represent the influence Moghul viceroys had over this disputed region trying to recapture the past glories of the empire and intended to keep alive the art of court-sponsored artists and the Persian school of painting introduced by Babur in the 15th century. The style of this painting in broad terms is a classical Indian form and is an ode to the rich history of art in India. These styles can be divided individually into Rajput, Moghul, Pahari, and Deccani but with this late work, a convergence and mixture of styles of the various cultural traditions is somewhat evident. This painting was purchased in India and was given as a gift to the previous owners as a gift in 1991 on the occasion of their wedding and subsequent honeymoon to India.

Dimensions:

Height: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)Width: 12.25 in (31.12 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Paper

Place of Origin:

India

Period:

Late 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1780

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.