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"The Emperor Shah Jahan with his Son Dara Shikoh", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album

Painting by Nanha
Calligrapher Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1620; recto: ca. 1530–50
Not on view
This superbly painted image framed by a splendid border shows the future emperor Shah Jahan admiring jewels with his favorite son. Holding a tray of emeralds and rubies, the father contemplates a ruby in his right hand, while the child grasps a peacock fan and a turban ornament. The sumptuousness of court life is conveyed in the detailed depiction of the jewels, the gilded furniture, the textiles, and, most spectacularly, the large bolster with its designs of figures and plants.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Emperor Shah Jahan with his Son Dara Shikoh", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
  • Artist: Painting by Nanha
  • Calligrapher: Mir 'Ali Haravi (died ca. 1550)
  • Date: verso: ca. 1620; recto: ca. 1530–50
  • Geography: Attributed to India
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
    Margins: Gold and opaque watercolor on dyed paper
  • Dimensions: H. 15 5/16 in. (38.9 cm)
    W. 10 5/16 in. (26.2 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and The Kevorkian Foundation Gift, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.121.10.36
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

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Portrait of Kuchal Oghlan: Folio from Salim's Album, Nanha, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Portrait of Kuchal Oghlan: Folio from Salim's Album
Nanha
ca.1595–1600
"Page of Calligraphy Illuminated with Animals and Plants in a Field of Flowers", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Nanha, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Page of Calligraphy Illuminated with Animals and Plants in a Field of Flowers", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Nanha
Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1610–15; recto: ca.1535–45
"Portrait of Maharaja Bhim Kanwar", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Nanha, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Portrait of Maharaja Bhim Kanwar", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Nanha
Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1615–29; recto: ca. 1540
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50
"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

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