Nur Jahan holding a portrait of Emperor Jahangir

c. 1627

attributed to Bishandas

(Indian)

Culture

Mughal India

Medium

gum tempera and gold on paper

Measurements

Painting only: 13.6 x 6.4 cm (5 3/8 x 2 1/2 in.); Page: 30 x 22.1 cm (11 13/16 x 8 11/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.325

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Jahangir died at 58, outliving his younger brothers by about 25 years.

Description

A woman identified as the favorite wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (reigned 1605–27) holds a formal portrait of her husband. He appears aged with graying facial hair behind the jharokha carpet that marks imperial presence.

This painting may be modeled on a work depicting Jahangir holding a portrait of his deceased father, showing himself to be the legitimate successor. Nur Jahan, who handled most of the affairs of state, hoped to remain in power after his death. She is depicted in her idealized youth, since she would have been 50 years old when Jahangir died.