Portrait of Asaf Khan (1569–1641), from the Late Shah Jahan Album
1653
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1653
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Portrait of Asaf Khan (1569–1641), from the Late Shah Jahan Album is a 1653 unspecified by Unknown, a Baroque work, depicting Court of Shah Jahan, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A man in a white turban and gold-trimmed robe sits on a low carpet, holding prayer beads. Around him, tiny figures in the border show scholars with books and soldiers with weapons. This painting comes from a royal album made for Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal. The border scenes tell us the man was both a warrior and a thinker—rare for portraits of the time. Look up Mughal India, court of Shah Jahan (1627–58) to see more works like this.
Asaf Khan, born in Iran, was a general and close advisor to Mughal emperors Jahangir (reigned 1605–27) and Shah Jahan (reigned 1627–58). He was also Jahangir’s brother-in-law and Shah Jahan’s father-in-law. The figures in the borders show that Asaf Khan was both a scholar and a soldier. At the top, mullahs (learned Muslim clerics) with books gesture in discourse, while two soldiers converse at ease below. Three retainers stand at the side presenting a sword, a vase of narcissus, a bow, and arrows. He has strapped on a sheathed sword and tucked a stabbing dagger and book into his elegantly…
Read the full account in the museum source.
