Artwork
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 19th-century portrait, circa 1840, depicts Emperor Shah Jahan in a regal setting, executed in opaque watercolour and gold on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Shah Jahan, is shown seated on an ornate, gold-adorned throne under a golden umbrella, symbolizing his imperial power. He is dressed in a white attire with a red sash and a feathered, ornate hat, holding an object (possibly a book or letter) in his hand, set against a serene backdrop of a blue sky, greenery, and flowers.
Technique & Style
The painting features opaque watercolour and gold leaf on paper, with intricate gold and black patterns framing the edges, characteristic of the period's ornate and detailed artistic approach.
History & Provenance
Previously owned by the Earl of Auckland, Governor General of India from 1836 to 1842, the portrait is part of a collection highlighting Muslim rulers, reflecting the Earl's tenure and interests.
Context
Created during the British colonial era in India, the work reflects the cultural exchange and documentation of Indian rulers by British collectors during the 19th century.
Legacy
Now part of a broader collection of similar artworks, it can be contextualized alongside other pieces at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum, offering insights into 19th-century Indian portraiture under British influence.
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
