Yusuf was painted by Unknown in 1850.

Where can I see Yusuf?

Yusuf is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Yusuf

Yusuf is a paint painting by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is a painted illustration on paper, executed with opaque water‑colour and gold leaf.

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted illustration on paper, executed with opaque water‑colour and gold leaf. It shows a central male figure seated on an elaborate golden throne within a lush garden, surrounded by several female attendants. A bright yellow‑ochre ground and a blue sky with flowering trees form the background, while decorative Nastaliq script appears in two columns beneath the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is identified as Yusuf, a prophetic character shared by Islamic, Jewish, and Christian traditions. The composition emphasizes his moral steadfastness, portraying him amid temptation yet poised and dignified, a visual reminder of his resistance to seduction.

Technique & Style

The artist employed opaque water‑colour pigments combined with applied gold, creating a richly textured surface. The figures are rendered in vivid hues—gold, red, purple, brown and gray—while the intricate hat forms and ornamental clothing reflect a stylised courtly aesthetic typical of South‑Asian manuscript illustration.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of a narrative manuscript that blends religious stories from multiple faiths. A comparable illustration appears in a 1976 study of Kashmiri manuscripts, indicating its regional artistic lineage. The piece is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Context

The illustration belongs to a tradition of illustrated texts that convey moral lessons through opulent visual storytelling. The inclusion of Nastaliq calligraphy below the image integrates textual and pictorial elements, a common feature in Persian‑influenced manuscript art.