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Zulaykha in her palace and as an elderly woman with Joseph (recto), from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al- Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492)

Mushfiq

1605

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Baroque Mughal Painting Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Zulaykha in her palace and as an elderly woman with Joseph (recto), from a Panj Ganj (Five Treasures) of Abd al- Rahman Jami (Persian, 1414–1492) is a 1605 unspecified by Mushfiq, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Mushfiq
When & what style?: 1605 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a painting of Zulaykha, a woman from a Persian story, in two different scenes: as a young woman and as an elderly woman with Joseph. The story behind this painting is interesting. Zulaykha was married, but she fell in love with Joseph. She tried to win him over, but he resisted her advances until she became a widow. This painting is similar to others from Mughal India, which is why you might want to learn more about the subject: indian art.

The story of this work

Overview

The golden pot of white narcissus flowers at the bottom center of the painting signals that Zulaykha, leaning on her staff to the left, will imminently have her youth and beauty restored. In this Persian retelling of the Old Testament account from the Bible, Zulaykha lusted after Joseph, even though she was already married to Potiphar. Joseph, with the golden halo, resisted her advances until she became a widow and retained his youth, because of his extreme virtue. Above, Zulaykha as a young woman waits for Joseph in her house where murals of them as a happy couple are painted on the walls.

Did you know?

Zulaykha is shown four times: twice in the murals, seated in the center, and below when she is much older.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Mushfiq

Mushfiq was a sub-imperial Mughal painter who worked in the atelier of Abd-ur-Rahim Khan-i-Khanan (also called Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana), commander-in-chief of the Mughal army in the late 16th/early 17th century.

See the richer artist page