Who painted Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah?

Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah was painted by Unknown in 1570.

Where can I see Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah?

Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah?

Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah is associated with Mughal Painting.

Artwork

Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah

Unknown , 1570

Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah 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

This painting shows Umar bowing to a giant crowned man on a red and gold carpet. The giant holds a pearl-hilted sword. The scene crackles with energy from the bright colors and sharp edges.

The Hamzanama was a giant project. Akbar ordered 1400 paintings for one story. Artists worked in teams to make each page perfect.

Look for more Hamzanama pages at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

This miniature painting forms part of the Hamzanama, a monumental illustrated manuscript commissioned by Mughal emperor Akbar in the mid‑16th century. The work portrays a scene in which the figure Umar is received by the colossal Zumrid Shah, a moment drawn from the epic narrative that blends Persian literary tradition with Islamic heroic legend.

Subject & Meaning

In the composition, Zumrid Shah dominates the right side, perched atop a hexagonal structure and wearing a crown‑like helmet crowned with a plume. He brandishes a sword with a pearl‑set hilt, while Umar bows before him, accompanied by attendants who gesture reverently—some with fingers to their lips, others with raised hands—signifying awe and respect for the giant host.

Technique & Style

The painting exhibits the vibrant palette and sharp delineation characteristic of Mughal court art, with intense reds and golds that heighten the scene’s dynamism. Visible underdrawing in the upper left reveals the preparatory stages of the work, while the crisp outlines and detailed rendering of costume and architecture reflect the collaborative workshop practice of the period.

History & Provenance

The Hamzanama originally comprised roughly 1,400 illustrated folios; fewer than two hundred survive today. Production likely began around 1562 and continued for fifteen years. This particular page, now considerably damaged, is among the surviving fragments and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Context

The narrative derives from an oral tradition later codified in Persian, recounting the fantastical exploits of Hamza, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, and his companions. The episode featuring Zumrid Shah and Umar illustrates the broader theme of heroic encounters and the interplay of power, loyalty, and generosity within the epic.