recto: "Portrait of Raja Suraj Singh Rathor", verso: Page of Calligraphy. Folio from the Shah Jahan Album

Bishan Das|Mir 'Ali Haravi

recto: late 16th century; verso: ca. 1640 · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

verso: This panel of calligraphy conforms closely to the type probably established by the celebrated calligrapher Sultan 'Ali about forty or fifty years earlier. The border illumination is signed by the artist Daulat, who executed paintings and marginalia for three generations of Mughal emperors, from Akbar to Shah Jahan. Mir 'Ali was both the calligrapher and author of the lines written here: One with the eye of gazelles hunted the bird of my heart, Robbed me of steadfastness, robbed me, poor lover, of rest. Counsel and good advice is no longer of use– There is no use anymore, friends, in counseling me! The poor 'Ali.

Artist

Bishan Das|Mir 'Ali Haravi

Date

recto: late 16th century; verso: ca. 1640

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Rogers Fund and The Kevorkian Foundation Gift, 1955