Artwork
Emperor Akbar Shah II
Emperor Akbar Shah II is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting is a portrait of Emperor Akbar Shah II, executed in opaque watercolour and gold on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts the emperor as an oval bust, wearing a decorative turban and beaded collar, with a fur-lined robe. The inscription at the bottom confirms his identity, suggesting the work's significance as a representation of a royal figure.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a simple yet detailed style, focusing on the subject's facial features and attire. The use of opaque watercolour and gold on paper allowed for vibrant colours, including reds, golds, and blacks, set against a plain blue circular background.
History & Provenance
The painting's edges show signs of wear, indicating its age. While its exact provenance is not specified, the Victoria and Albert Museum is noted for holding similar works, suggesting a possible connection to a broader tradition of Mughal portraiture.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
