Sultan Muhammad 'Adil Shah and Ikhlas Khan Riding an Elephant

Haidar 'Ali|Ibrahim Khan

ca. 1645 · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Islamic Art

This painting depicts Sultan Muhammad ‘Adil Shah of Bijapur, and his prime minister, Ikhlas Khan. They sit together on a striding elephant, with Ikhlas Khan riding behind the Sultan, positioned in an emblematic display of the real power behind the throne. The double portrait of these two eminent figures from the Deccan is enhanced by the signature of the two artists who completed the work—Haidar ‘Ali and Ibrahim Khan, who signed their names at left.

Artist

Haidar 'Ali|Ibrahim Khan

Date

ca. 1645

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Acquisitions and 2020 Benefit Funds; Howard S. and Nancy Marks Gift; Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; The Mossavar-Rahmani Fund for Iranian Art and funds from various donors, 2022