Object Details
Artist
Possibly by Muhammad Sharif
Court
Mughal Court
School/Tradition
Mughal school
Label
Between 1600 and 1604, theMughal prince Salim (the future emperor Jahangir) established a court at Allahabad in defiance of his father, the emperor Akbar (reigned 1556–1604). Along with plotting against his father, Salim spent his time in Allahabad commissioning paintings and hunting. In this work, the prince, who can be identified by his jutting jaw and drooping mustache, rides a white steed. Intriguingly, in spite of Salim’s conflict with his father, the painter endowed the rider on the brown horse with Akbar’s profile and gave him the honor of the kill.
Provenance
At least 1945-1946
Virginia B. Shapley (Mrs. W. H. Shapley) (1911-2003), method of acquisition unknown [1]
From 1946
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Virginia B. Shapley [2]
Notes:
[1] See untitled incoming receipt, dated December 27, 1945, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Virginia B. Shapley to the Freer Gallery of Art for acquisition consideration on December 27, 1945. Object is described as, “Indian miniature painting, 17th century, in frame.”
Virginia B. Shapley (née Bishop) (1911-2003) was a scientific researcher and editor for the National Science Foundation located in Washington, DC. Her husband, Willis Harlow Shapley (1917-2005), was a specialist in federal research funding and served as the third-ranking administrator during NASA’s Apollo program. The couple resided in Washington, DC with their three children.
[2] See object file for copy of “Mrs. W. H. Shapley" invoice, issued by Virginia B. Shapley, to the Freer Gallery of Art, dated June 26, 1946, and marked approved on July 11, 1946.
Research updated February 2, 2024
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas (October 16, 2004 to January 3, 2016)
Masterworks of Indian Painting (December 13, 1997 to June 13, 1998)
The Imperial Image: Painting for the Mughal Court (September 25, 1981 to 30 March 1982)
Indian Art (January 1, 1963 to January 28, 1981)
Previous custodian or owner
Virginia B. Shapley (1911-2003)
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Date
ca. 1600
Period
Mughal dynasty, Reign of Jahangir
Accession Number
F1946.17
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Painting
Medium
Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 18.6 x 10.6 cm (7 5/16 x 4 3/16 in)
Origin
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh state, India
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
lion
hunting
deer
rabbit
mountain
dog
poetry
sheep
Mughal dynasty (1526 - 1858)
Reign of Jahangir (1605 - 1627)
nasta'liq script
India
South Asian and Himalayan Art
father
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_F1946.17