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"Diving Dipper and Other Birds", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album

Painting by Mansur
recto: ca. 1610–15; verso: ca. 1535–45
Not on view
Frequently praised in Jahangir’s memoirs, the artist Mansur painted many of the natural wonders the emperor saw during his travels. Jahangir wrote of his discovery of the Diving Dipper: "I ordered them to catch two or three of these birds, that I might ascertain whether they were waterfowl and were web-footed, or had open feet like land birds. They caught two . . . One died immediately, and the other lived for a day. Its feet were not webbed like a duck’s. I ordered [nadir al-asr] Ustad Mansur to draw its likeness."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Diving Dipper and Other Birds", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
  • Artist: Painting by Mansur (active ca. 1589–1626)
  • Date: recto: ca. 1610–15; verso: ca. 1535–45
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 15 3/8 in. (39.1 cm)
    W. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and The Kevorkian Foundation Gift, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.121.10.16
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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"Red-Headed Vulture and Long-Billed Vulture", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Mansur, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Red-Headed Vulture and Long-Billed Vulture", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Mansur
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1615–20; recto: ca. 1535–45
"Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram' s Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper<br/>Margins: gold on dyed paper
"Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram' s Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Attributed to Miskin
1597–98
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painted by Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50
"Study of a Nilgai (Blue Bull)", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Mansur, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Study of a Nilgai (Blue Bull)", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Mansur
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1620; recto ca. 1540
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: Ink, opaque watercolor, gold on paper<br/>Margins: Gold on dyed paper
"A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Author Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Painting attributed to Miskin
1597–98

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