Portrait of Shah Aurangzeb with a man, possibly Ashraf Khan

early 18th century

A profile portrait of a ruler is one of the most prolific themes in Mughal painting. A jewel-encrusted dagger, golden throne, highly elaborate jama (men’s robe), prayer book, parasol, and a nimbus (halo) that encircles his head are all legitimizing symbols of the ruler’s wealth and power. This Mughal ruler is flanked by a courtier and attendant bearing a chauri (flywhisk) on an enclosed veranda. Even though each ruler’s physical features were well standardized in Mughal paintings, this ruler has yet to be identified. The painting was once thought to be a portrait of Alamgir I (r. 1618–1707), but the facial features do not bear Alamgir I’s typical sharp, angular nose. Other possibilities include Shah Alam II (r. 1759–1806) and Bahadur Shah (r. 1837–1857).

Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper

16 3/8 x 11 3/4 in. (41.59 x 29.85 cm)

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

38.154

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Luminous: The Art of Asia, Oct.13, 2011 - Jan. 8, 2012.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Images of Power

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view July 16 - Dec. 5, 2021].

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