Artwork
Zumrud Shah falls into a pit and is beaten by gardeners
Zumrud Shah falls into a pit and is beaten by gardeners is a paint painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a scene from the epic tale of Hamza, showing Zumrud Shah, a giant enemy of Hamza, being beaten by gardeners after falling into a well.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates a moment from the Hamzanama narrative, where Zumrud Shah is mistakenly punished by gardeners for allegedly stealing fruit, while the actual thieves, a family of bears, are visible in the foreground.
Technique & Style
The painting's style is characterized by a soft, blended approach to rendering forms, reminiscent of the sfumato technique.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the Hamzanama, a manuscript commissioned by Mughal emperor Akbar in the mid-16th century, with production likely spanning 15 years starting around 1562.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
Umar searches for Hamza
Umar is received by the giant Zumrud Shah
Temple idols fall and the sea dries up on the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
Pir Muhammad Khan
Hamzanama
Hamza's scout Kawsadi searches for his lost steed, but finds it being devoured by a lion.
The giant Sar Farangi dashes Mesluq to the ground
Hamza receives an envoy of Qitanush Shah
Alamshah cleaving asunder the chain of the wheel, from volume 11 of a Hamza-nama (Adventures of Hamza)
Muhammad Husain Mirza and Akbar
Husain Quli and Akbar
Khwajah Mu'azzam