Who painted Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son?

Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son was painted by Kesu Kalan in 1596.

Where can I see Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son?

Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son?

Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son is associated with Mughal Painting.

Artwork

Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son

Kesu Kalan , 1596

Akbar celebrates the birth of his second son is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Kesu Kalan. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1596 by the Mughal painter Kesu Kalan, this work records the celebration of Emperor Akbar’s second son’s birth. The composition is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum and presents a bustling festive scene populated by musicians, dancers, and attendants who gather around a central figure cradling the infant.

Subject & Meaning

The central narrative focuses on Akbar’s court rejoicing at the arrival of the royal heir. The emperor’s presence is implied through the surrounding entourage, while the infant is held aloft, symbolising continuity and dynastic prosperity. The gathering conveys the collective joy and political significance attached to a new prince in the Mughal lineage.

Technique & Style

Fine brushwork delineates musical instruments and textiles, while the overall composition balances narrative detail with decorative richness.

Kesu Kalan employs a vibrant palette dominated by reds, yellows, and greens, typical of late‑sixteenth‑century Mughal court painting. The scene is rendered on multiple planes, with figures placed in distinct rooms and levels, creating depth through overlapping activities. Fine brushwork delineates musical instruments and textiles, while the overall composition balances narrative detail with decorative richness.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces back to the Mughal imperial workshop, where Kesu Kalan worked under imperial patronage, before being acquired by European collectors in the 19th century and eventually transferred to the museum’s South Asian holdings.

Context

The work belongs to a period when Mughal art blended Persian influences with indigenous Indian motifs, reflecting the empire’s cosmopolitan court culture. Celebrations of royal births were frequently commemorated in miniature and panel paintings, serving both as visual records and as propaganda reinforcing the emperor’s legitimacy and the empire’s stability.