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Flowering Marigold (verso)

Hunhar II

1765

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Mughal Painting Romanticism 18th Century Still Life Mughal

Dominant colour

Flowering Marigold (verso) is a 1765 unspecified by Hunhar II, a Mughal Painting work, depicting Mughal, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Hunhar II
When & what style?: 1765 · Mughal Painting
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a single marigold bloom in sharp focus. The petals glow in deep yellow-orange against a plain white background. The painter left the back blank—no notes, no other plants. Because marigolds came to India from South America after the Portuguese arrived, they became part of daily life. People soon wove them into garlands for festivals and prayers. This small work shows how new plants changed Indian art and culture. The next stop should be Hunhar II who painted this.

The story of this work

Overview

Trade with the Portuguese, which flourished through the 1500s to 1600s, brought many new plants to India from their territories in South America. Examples include potatoes, tomatoes, and marigolds, all of which became staples of Indian daily life. Because of their beautifully vibrant color, marigolds were made into flower garlands and continue to be much used in devotional offerings throughout India.

Read the full account in the museum source.