Central Asia, India, possibly Gujarat or Kashmir, Mughal Period, ca. 18th or 19th century CE. Finely delineated in tempera and gold leaf on handmade paper, a miniature painting of Shah Shahan and his Empress catered surrounded by six female attendants - all dressed in fine garments and head-coverings. The royal couple is watching a riderless horse below; this iconography traditionally signifies that someone of importance has passed away. Size: 8.25" L x 6" W (21 cm x 15.2 cm); 16.125" L x 12.625" W (41 cm x 32.1 cm) framed
The Mughals, Islamic dynasty rulers of northern India between 1526 and 1857, were known for their great patronage of the arts. Artists created intricate paintings and illuminated manuscripts depicting scenes of daily life, adventurous tales, mythological and royalty scenes like these. The compositions are beautifully balanced and finely painted in rich tones.
Miniature painting emerged in Persian art during the 13th century. Following the Mongol conquests, the genre displayed strong Chinese influence, and the tradition reached its peak during the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, Persian miniature painting influenced other Islamic miniature traditions, including the Ottoman miniature created in Turkey as well as the Mughal miniature of India.
Mughal painting refers to a type of miniature painting - either serving as book illustrations or created as single work. The term miniature suggests a tiny scale; however, it actually indicates a style of watercolor work similar to early European book illustrations that used the red pigment minia. Some Indian miniatures are in fact quite large. The Mughal style stems from Persian miniature painting, though with Indian Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist influences, evolving largely throughout the Mughal Empire (16th to 19th centuries), and eventually spreading to other Indian courts - Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh - flourishing during the reigns of Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Jahangir. The tradition continues today with Mughal-style miniature paintings still being created, though only by a relatively small number of artists in Rajasthan.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection acquired in the late 20th century.
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#148336
Condition
This painting has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in very good condition save a repair (reattached corner) at the upper right and slight losses to the left periphery.