AlbumsMughal16th century

Portrait of Shah Abu’l Ma’ali

c. 1545

Artists

Mir Sayyid ‘AliArtist

Description

In this drawing, an elegant young man wearing the big, folded turban characteristic of the reign of Humayun kneels facing to the right. Beneath the figure a quatrain of Persian poetry extols angelic physical beauty.

Classification

Albums

Medium

Black ink, opaque watercolor and gold on beige paper

Culture

Mughal

Period

Mughal period

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

25.3 x 16.5 cm (9 15/16 x 6 1/2 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1983 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1983.

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