"An Old Man and His Young Wife Before Religious Arbitrators," Folio from a Gulistan of Sa'di

Daulat

1610–15 · Opaque watercolors and gold on paper · Islamic Art

This painting was created during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–27) and illustrates a scene from the Gulistan of Sa'di, a 13th century poetic collection of moral tales. In this story, an old man takes on a much younger wife, named Pearl, but is unable to consummate the marriage. Complaining of his wife's inadequacies but unable to see his own, the old man takes the issue up with the local qadi (or magistrate), seated at the right of the scene.

Artist

Daulat

Date

1610–15

Medium

Opaque watercolors and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Bequest of Henrie Jo Barth, 2021