Who painted Khalif Uthman?

Khalif Uthman was painted by Unknown in 1750.

Where can I see Khalif Uthman?

Khalif Uthman is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Khalif Uthman

Khalif Uthman is a paint painting by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work portrays a seated figure identified as Khalif Uthman, positioned on a simple grass mat. He holds a rosary in one hand while a Qur’an rests on a nearby stand. Objects such as a jug, a spittoon and a diminutive lion appear in the foreground, adding domestic detail to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

Dressed in a long green robe and a white turban, the figure appears engaged in contemplation, suggested by the presence of the holy text and prayer beads. The inclusion of everyday items—teapot, cup, and the small lion—may allude to both piety and worldly authority, reflecting a balance between spiritual devotion and temporal power.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolour combined with gold leaf on paper, the painting employs flat, vivid hues without deep modelling. The background is largely plain, edged with decorative motifs of bright flowers and swirling leaves in red, green, and black, while the subject’s face is rendered with a soft back‑light effect that makes it stand out against the surface.

Context

The piece belongs to a tradition of courtly portraiture that blends religious symbolism with luxurious decorative elements. Its use of gold and ornamental borders aligns with South‑Asian miniature conventions, while the inclusion of a lion—a common emblem of sovereignty—situates the work within a broader visual language of rulership.

Legacy

Works of this type continue to be referenced in collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, where similar paintings illustrate the cross‑cultural exchange of artistic techniques and iconography across the Islamic world and the Indian subcontinent.