Flower Studies
This practice-sheet of sketches by an unknown artist reveals the care and meticulous study that went into the creation of Mughal botanical studies in the seventeenth century. Created by an artist under the reign of Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58), this page of drawings in ink depicts nineteen different flowers, drawn from nature. Some of the skillfully rendered flowers may be specifically identified including lily, narcissus, iris, tulip, Persian violet, carnation, poppy, anemone, Trillium, and campion.