Babur Scene from the Akbarnama (with border from the Farhangi-Jahangiri dictionary manuscript)
Datelate 16th century
Maker
Indian
Label TextThis folio reveals the deep interconnectedness of image making (painting) and writing (calligraphy) during the Mughal dynasty. It was completed in the Indo-Persian technique called nim-qalam (pen and ink drawing with light washes). The folio’s restrained palette helps highlight the artisan’s dexterous lines and pristine shading. The composition depicts an episode within the Akbarnama manuscript: the Mughal ruler Babur is in the midst of a battle in which soldiers and animals are gruesomely entangled.
The Emperor Akbar is one of the most famous rulers in the history of the Mughal Empire. He presided over an opulent court that was renowned for its interest in culture and knowledge. Akbar had a history of his reign—the Akbarnama, or Book of Akbar—composed for him by his friend, the courtier Abu'l Fazl. These two manuscript pages likely formed part of an Akbarnama manuscript.
Images from historical chronicles, more so than for other literary texts, most often served as illustrations and were secondary to the written text. Outside the context of the chronicle, these images were often difficult to decipher and could be understood only in a general, superficial way. Combined with the text, however, these images enlivened the narrative, as specific people, places and events could be recognized.
Images from historical chronicles, more so than for other literary texts, most often served as illustrations and were secondary to the written text. Outside the context of the chronicle, these images were often difficult to decipher and could be understood only in a general, superficial way. Combined with the text, however, these images enlivened the narrative, as specific people, places and events could be recognized.
Object number46.28
Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia
Exhibition HistoryLos Angeles, California, Los Angeles County Museum, Art Of Greater India, 1950.
Portland, Oregon, Portland Art Museum, Gift to a City: Masterworks from the Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection in the Seattle Art Museum, Nov. 3 - 28, 1965. Cat. no. 88.
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Luminous: The Art of Asia, Oct. 13, 2011 - Jan. 8, 2012.
Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view July 16 - Dec. 5, 2021].Published References"Handbook, Seattle Art Museum: Selected Works from the Permanent Collections." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1951, p. 33 (b&w)
"Gift to a City" exhibition catalogue. Portland, OR: Portland Art Museum, 1965, cat. no. 88
Heermaneck, Alice, "Masterpieces of Indian Painting formerly in the Nasli M. Heermaneck Collections," Alice N. Heermaneck, Publisher, 1984, plate 140, p. 172; text p. 151.
(Cf. 68.160, 45.69, 57.78)Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
Dimensions8 9/16 x 4 5/8 in. (21.7 x 11.8 cm)
MediumOpaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
Indian
late 16th century
Object number: 45.69
Mukhlis and Madhva Khurd
ca. 1570
Object number: 68.160
French
1500
Object number: 44.671
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