Artwork Page for A Courtier, Possibly Khan Alam, Holding a Spinel and a Deccan Sword

Details / Information for A Courtier, Possibly Khan Alam, Holding a Spinel and a Deccan Sword

A Courtier, Possibly Khan Alam, Holding a Spinel and a Deccan Sword

c. 1605–1610

attributed to Govardhan

(Indian, active c.1596–1645)
calligrapher

Abd al-Rahim, the Anbarin-Qalam

(Indian, active c. 1590–1630)
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Culture
Mughal India
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper, text on verso
Measurements
Page: 17.8 x 12.5 cm (7 x 4 15/16 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 2013.323.a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

According to Akbar's court historian, the emperor ordered likenesses to be taken of the grandees of his realm. "An immense album was thus formed: those that have passed away have received a new life, and those who are still alive have immortality promised them." Akbar's son and successor, Jahangir (reigned 1605-27), continued the tradition of commissioning works of lifelike portraiture for inclusion in imperial albums. This courtier wears an opulent fur-trimmed, fringed velvet coat over his belted white tunic and striped pants-the typical Mughal dress derived from their roots among the nomadic horse-riding people of Central Asia. The artist has reveled in creating the soft textures of the facial hair, fur and fabrics. He holds a ruby-like gemstone called a spinel, which was prized among the Mughals for its talismanic properties of protection during battle.
A vertically oriented tempera and ink painting depicts a man, possibly Khan Alam, with a medium skin tone, standing in profile facing left against a tan background. He wears a white turban and fur-trimmed ochre coat with green floral motifs over a white robe. He holds a red spinel on a cord and grasps a gold-hilted sword. Striped leggings and red shoes complete his attire. A green and gold border frames the image.

A Courtier, Possibly Khan Alam, Holding a Spinel and a Deccan Sword

c. 1605–1610

Govardhan, Abd al-Rahim, the Anbarin-Qalam

(Indian, active c.1596–1645), (Indian, active c. 1590–1630)
Mughal India

See Also

  • Collection
    Indian
  • Department
    Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Type of artwork
    Painting
  • Medium
    Ink on paper
  • 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

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