DECCAN, INDIA, LATE 17TH CENTURY

In the late 17th century, around the time of the Mughal conquest of the Deccan, there was a sudden proliferation of portrait paintings. Many of these were likenesses of Mughal and Deccani rulers, often imitations of earlier known portraits, which were compiled into albums for European patrons in the Deccan as well as for export. Our portrait depicts an unidentified Muslim courtier from the reign of Emperor Jahangir.