Portrait of Chuk the Wrestler
Pehlwani, a form of wrestling popular in South Asia, was developed during the Mughal Empire by combining centuries-old grappling traditions with Persian wrestling practice. The subject of this portrait has been identified as Chuk in nasta'liq script in the lower left. Chuk wears a loin cloth (langota) in the manner typical of Indian wrestlers. Although some of the lines in the lower part of the drawing appear to have been strengthened by a later hand, a fine brush is particularly visible on the wrestler’s aquiline nose, stubble, and tuft of hair at the crown of his head.
Artwork Details
- Title: Portrait of Chuk the Wrestler
- Date: ca. 1660–1675
- Geography: Country of Origin India
- Medium: Ink, translucent watercolor, and gold on paper
- Dimensions: Painting: H. 11 3/8 in. (29 cm)
W. 7 7/8 in. (20.1 cm)
Frame: H. 21 3/4 in. (54.6 cm)
W. 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2015
- Object Number: 2015.367
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50
first half 18th century
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late 17th century
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