Portrait of Muhammad Khan Shaibani, the Uzbek (d.1510)

Unknown

16th century · Opaque watercolor and gold on paper · Islamic Art

This painting, considered a portrait of the Shaibanid ruler Muhammad Khan, surrounds its subject with the accoutrements of culture—ink pots, pen cases, and books. Upon his conquest of the Timurid political and cultural capital of Herat in 1507, this new ruler was eager to adopt the royal protocols established at the court of his predecessor, Sultan Husain Baiqara. This portrait may reflect Muhammad Khan’s interest in presenting himself as the legitimate ruler of this great, cosmopolitan city

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th century

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Cora Timken Burnett Collection of Persian Miniatures and Other Persian Art Objects, Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956