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Two Pigeons

ca. 1650
Not on view
This painting of Two Pigeons is a detailed depiction of the natural world of India in the seventeenth century. Mughal emperors were particularly fond of paintings depicting their world, including portraiture, historical events, and documentation of flora and fauna. This painting fits into a much larger category of plant and animal studies, and records the species present at the Mughal court. The pigeon at left has two golden anklets on its feet, suggesting that these are imperial creatures in the possession of the Emperor.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Two Pigeons
  • Date: ca. 1650
  • Geography: Country of Origin India
  • Medium: Opaque color on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 8 11/16 × 4 15/16 in. (22 × 12.5 cm)
    Frame: 19 9/16 × 10 9/16 × 7/8 in. (49.7 × 26.8 × 2.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Acquisitions, Harris Brisbane Dick, and 2020 Benefit Funds; Howard S. and Nancy Marks, Lila Acheson Wallace, and Friends of Islamic Art Gifts; Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; and funds from various donors, 2022
  • Object Number: 2022.179
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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"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
Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50
"Rosette Bearing the Names and Titles of Shah Jahan", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Rosette Bearing the Names and Titles of Shah Jahan", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
recto: ca. 1645; verso: ca. 1630–40
The House of Bijapur, Kamal Muhammad, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
The House of Bijapur
Kamal Muhammad
Chand Muhammad
ca. 1680
Calligraphic Galleon, 'Abd al-Qadir Hisari Turkish, Ink and gold on paper
Calligraphic Galleon
'Abd al-Qadir Hisari
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Botanical Study of Indian Mulberry (Morinda citrifolia), Opaque watercolor on paper
Botanical Study of Indian Mulberry (Morinda citrifolia)
late 18th century

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