Music Party on a Riverside Terrace
Court culture in India reflected modes of life and patronage that extended from the visual to the musical. The Mughal court drew talent from around the empire and beyond, evolving a lifestyle that allowed for an enjoyment and appreciation of the arts to be unified with environment and setting. Artists excelled at capturing the nuance of this courtly splendor, sensitively conveying the talents of their musical compatriots and the advanced appreciation of their common patron, the ruler. In this riverside vignette, a musical party is hosted by the nobleman at center, shown leaning against a large bolster and entertaining a guest who sits across from him. A sense of formal grandeur pervades the scene as musicians perform and attendants hover.
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