Artwork

Calligraphy framed by an ornamental border with poppies and pairs of birds, from the Late Shah Jahan Album (verso)

Calligraphy framed by an ornamental border with poppies and pairs of birds, from the Late Shah Jahan Album (verso) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This work is a calligraphic composition framed by an ornate border, featuring pairs of birds and poppies.

About this work

You see black Persian script floating inside a gold frame, surrounded by red poppies and tiny birds in pairs.

You see black Persian script floating inside a gold frame, surrounded by red poppies and tiny birds in pairs.

The words are actually poetry—lines from a 13th-century ode about greed. The Mughal court loved calligraphy so much they framed it like a jewel, even above paintings of people. No one signed it, so the artist’s name is lost.

To see more work like this, look up mughal india, court of shah jahan (reigned 1628–58).

Overview

This work is a calligraphic composition framed by an ornate border, featuring pairs of birds and poppies. The text is written in Persian script and is excerpted from a 13th-century ode.

Subject & Meaning

The calligraphy contains lines from a didactic poem by Amir Khusrau, warning against the dangers of coveting wealth and advising the reader to focus on their tasks in the present. The poem's themes are conveyed through metaphors and imagery.

Technique & Style

The calligraphy is presented in a luxurious gold frame, adorned with floral arabesques, reflecting the high esteem in which Mughal patrons held the art of calligraphy. The surrounding border features red poppies and pairs of tiny birds, creating a decorative and intricate design.

Context

This work is part of the Late Shah Jahan Album, a collection associated with the Mughal court during the reign of Shah Jahan (1628–58). The album showcases the artistic tastes and preferences of the imperial court, where calligraphy was highly valued.