Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a paint painting by the Mughal Painting artist Kesav Kalan. It dates from 1592 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting is an illustration from the Akbarnama, a historical manuscript chronicling the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
About this work
Overview
This painting is an illustration from the Akbarnama, a historical manuscript chronicling the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Created by artists Kesav Kalan and Chetar Muni, it depicts a pivotal event in Akbar's rule.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows the discovery of the severed head of Khan Zaman, a rebel who repeatedly betrayed Akbar. The emperor had offered a reward for the rebel's head, which was eventually found under a tree, as illustrated here.
History & Provenance
The Akbarnama was commissioned by Akbar and written by Abu'l Fazl between 1590 and 1596. The V&A's copy was likely illustrated between 1592 and 1595 and later acquired by the museum in 1896 from the widow of Major General John Clarke, who had purchased it in India.
Artist & collection
Artist
Painted around 1590–95, these delicate Mughal portraits show Emperor Akbar and his court in full color and gold leaf.
From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 42 from the Kitab-i Nauras (Book of Nine Essences) of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur (r. 1580–1627) (recto)
From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 42 from the Kitab-i Nauras (Book of Nine Essences) of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur (r. 1580–1627); verso: From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 36 from the Kitab-i Nauras of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II
From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 42 from the Kitab-i Nauras (Book of Nine Essences) of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur (r. 1580–1627); verso: From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 36 from the Kitab-i Nauras of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II
From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 42 from the Kitab-i Nauras (Book of Nine Essences) of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur (r. 1580–1627) (recto)
From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 36 from the Kitab-i Nauras of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II (verso)
From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 36 from the Kitab-i Nauras of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II (verso)
Text of Rustam and Suhrab, from the Shah-nama of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020) (verso)
Text of Rustam and Suhrab, from the Shah-nama of Firdausi (Persian, c. 934–1020) (recto)