Who painted Aurangzeb?

Aurangzeb was painted by Unknown in 1650.

Where can I see Aurangzeb?

Aurangzeb is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Aurangzeb?

Aurangzeb is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Aurangzeb

Unknown , 1650

Aurangzeb is a paint painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created around the middle of the 17th century, this Mughal album page portrays the sixth emperor, Aurangzeb. Executed on paper with opaque water‑colour and gold, the work includes a separate calligraphic panel. Its decorative composition reflects the courtly aesthetic of the period, combining portraiture with intricate ornamental borders.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is Aurangzeb, ruler of the Mughal empire from 1658 to 1707, presented in a stylised manner that emphasizes his authority rather than realistic likeness. The surrounding motifs—swirling lines and floral patterns—serve to frame the sovereign within a symbolic universe of order and divine favor, a common visual language in imperial portraiture.

Technique & Style

Within a bold blue border, a rectangle of black, sinuous strokes creates a dynamic contrast against a light gold field.

The artist employed opaque water‑colours mixed with gold leaf, a technique typical of Mughal miniature workshops. Within a bold blue border, a rectangle of black, sinuous strokes creates a dynamic contrast against a light gold field. The outer margins are filled with repeated lotus‑like blossoms in purple, green and gold, set against a beige ground, illustrating the period’s penchant for elaborate surface decoration.

History & Provenance

Originally part of a larger album, the page entered the market after being acquired in Tehran by Lieutenant Colonel Murdoch Smith. It was later purchased for a modest sum of £25, and its ownership trail was documented during a research project undertaken by the museum in 2023, confirming its provenance and contextual background.

Context

The piece belongs to a flourishing phase of Mughal art when imperial patronage encouraged the production of richly embellished album pages for personal and diplomatic use. Such works often combined portraiture with calligraphy, reflecting the synthesis of Persianate literary culture and Indian artistic traditions that defined the empire’s visual identity.