Portrait of Islam Khan Mashhadi

Payag

17th century · Opaque watercolor and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Portraits of emperors, their families, and other important figures were collected into imperial albums in Mughal India; this work was originally part of the Late Shah Jahan Album. Identified in the text to his left, Islam Khan Mashhadi, a vizier who served under the emperor as the governor of Bengal and the Deccan, is shown in profile with a shield at his side. He wears fine clothing with distinctly Mughal patterning and carries objects from courtly life. These objects, as well as those appearing with the figures in the borders, provide detailed records of the textiles, jewelry, daggers, and swords of the time.

Artist

Payag

Date

17th century

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1955