Portrait of Shah Aurangzeb with a man, possibly Ashraf Khan
Dateearly 18th century
Maker
Indian
Label TextA 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).
Object number38.154
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].Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection
Dimensions16 3/8 x 11 3/4 in. (41.59 x 29.85 cm)
MediumOpaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
Indian
late 16th century
Object number: 45.69
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