Artwork
Hamzanama
Hamzanama is a paint painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Hamzanama is a 16th-century painting series commissioned by Mughal emperor Akbar, illustrating the adventures of Hamza, a character inspired by the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad.
Subject & Meaning
The narrative, derived from oral traditions and written in Persian, follows Hamza and his companions as they battle against the enemies of Islam, featuring fantastical elements and heroic deeds.
Technique & Style
The paintings, originally 1400 in number, were created using gold and vibrant colors to evoke a sense of magic, with the story unfolding across multiple pages in a sequential manner.
History & Provenance
Work on the Hamzanama began around 1562 and took 15 years to complete. Fewer than 200 illustrations remain, with the original text found on the back of each surviving folio. One folio was acquired by Sir Raleigh Gilbert Egerton in Srinagar, Kashmir, in 1913.
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
