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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1960.43
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Court scene of an emperor receiving a visitor
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
17th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India
Period
Mughal period
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216671

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Mughal Style

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Goelet
Accession Year
1960
Object Number
1960.43
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
In a walled in, open-air courtyard, an emperor is seated in a covered terrace. His throne has long, slightly bent legs, two hexagonal bases, and a gold back that is decorated with colored flowers and scrolling vines. He is supported by a large, cylindrical, orange cushion. He sits with his legs folded under him, wearing a dark blue jama (robe) that is cinched at the waist by a gold decorated belt. Tucked into the belt is a dagger with a green sheath. He wears long strands of pearls, pearl earrings, and a white turban tied with a gold sash. The youthful emperor also bears a mustache. His left hand rests on his knee while his right hand is gesturing to a figure on his left side. Seated, legs folded underneath, on a small hexagonal chair. He wears pink trousers, a light pink shirt, and a translucent white jama. The figure wears a decorated gold waist sash with a katar (punch dagger) tucked into it. His left hand rests on his lap, holding one of the sash’s ends, while the right hand is up in gesture. He has a mustache, a gold turban, and two long strands of beads.

Behind the emperor is an attendant with a pink robe carrying a pink fly whisk. In front of him, just off the terrace, is an attendant in yellow carrying an object wrapped in red cloth. The rest of the scene is filled with attendants. The artist has individualized each figure evident through the various styles and colors of the garments and turbans, facial expressions, facial hair, facial features, age, and skin tone. Some carrying large, disc-shaped items that are covered in decorative cloths. In the bottom right is an attendant in yellow holding onto the saddle and reins of a horse. Mughal Style.

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu