Artwork
Dara Shikoh
Dara Shikoh is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Nandalal. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a portrait of Dara Shihkoh executed in opaque watercolour combined with gold leaf on paper.
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait of Dara Shihkoh executed in opaque watercolour combined with gold leaf on paper. The figure stands in an outdoor setting, surrounded by a pale sky and modest vegetation, rendered in vivid yet balanced hues that emphasize his dignified presence.
Subject & Meaning
Dara Shihkoh is depicted in elaborate attire—a long, floral‑patterned robe, a turban, and boots—conveying his high status. He holds a small object in his hand, and his composed facial expression suggests a calm authority, typical of portraiture intended to affirm the sitter’s importance.
Technique & Style
The artist employed opaque watercolour, allowing for rich, saturated colours, while the application of gold leaf adds a luminous quality to details such as the garment trim and background accents. The composition balances decorative patterning with a naturalistic rendering of sky and foliage.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of a collection of Mughal-era portraiture, though specific details of its commissioning and subsequent ownership are not recorded in the available sources. It is currently held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is displayed alongside comparable works from the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nandalal Bose (3 December 1882 – 16 April 1966) was one of the pioneers of modern Indian art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism.
