Portrait of Mulla Do Piyazeh
mid 18th century
Description
Against a mint green background, a portly figure, recognizable as the folklore character Mulla Do Piyazeh, is depicted with a white robe with long sleeves and his distinctive, large white, turban. He is mounted on a brown, emaciated horse with a protruding tongue. The horse’s eye rolls upward, suggesting exhaustion. Mulla Do Piyazeh holds the reins in his right hand, while his left hand, masked by the large sleeve, holds a whip. A white and gray dog lies at the front feet of the horse. He was a character from a series of folk tales featuring the Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605) and his courtier Birbal. These legends originated at the end of Akbar’s reign and were popular through the 19th century. Most scholars believe that he is completely fictional.
Dimensions
19 x 13.9 cm (7 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th-19th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and silver on paper; Rajput Style, Mewar School
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper; Kishangarh Style
18th centuryIndianBlack ink, watercolor, opaque watercolor and gold on off-white laid paper; Rajput Style
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th-19th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor on paper
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on cotton
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor on paper
18th-19th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor, gold and metallic gray watercolor on paper
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th centuryIndian