Artwork

A Princess and Demons before a Nobleman: A Leaf from a Poetical Romance Relating to Shah Alam I (recto); Stenciled Scenes of Lion and Gazelle (verso)

A Princess and Demons before a Nobleman: A Leaf from a Poetical Romance Relating to Shah Alam I (recto); Stenciled Scenes of Lion and Gazelle (verso) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The lower register consists of a continuous strip of nude male figures, each lying on the ground and separated by low walls, forming a rhythmic pattern.

The work is a bifurcated painting on a single leaf, with a narrative scene occupying the upper half and a decorative band of repeated figures below. The upper register depicts a gathering of standing and kneeling figures surrounding a central man in yellow robes who appears to be engaged in reading or writing. Behind this group a walled garden recedes toward distant trees and structures. The lower register consists of a continuous strip of nude male figures, each lying on the ground and separated by low walls, forming a rhythmic pattern.

Subject & Meaning

The upper scene is interpreted as a moment from a poetic romance concerning Shah Alam I, likely illustrating a courtly encounter between a nobleman and a princess accompanied by supernatural beings. The presence of demons and the formal posture of the participants suggest a literary tableau that blends royal authority with mythic elements. The repetitive nude figures in the lower band function as a decorative border, perhaps symbolizing a contrasting earthly or allegorical realm.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and watercolor on paper, the composition employs fine line work to delineate individual figures and architectural details, while washes of muted pigments convey depth in the garden background. The lower strip uses a stenciled technique, allowing the same pose to be reproduced precisely across the length of the panel, creating a seamless ornamental motif.

History & Provenance

The leaf forms part of a larger illustrated manuscript that narrates a poetical romance linked to Shah Alam I, a Mughal emperor of the early 18th century. The piece entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art through acquisition in the late 20th century, where it has been catalogued as an example of Mughal courtly illustration and decorative border design.

Artist & collection

Museum

Cleveland Museum of Art

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