A Portrait of a Prince Visiting Holy Men

INDIA, MUGHAL, SIGNED ON REVERSE MUHAMMAD 'ALI AND DATED A.H. 1022 (1613)

Details

A Portrait of a Prince Visiting Holy Men
India, Mughal, signed on reverse Muhammad 'Ali and dated A.H. 1022 (1613)
Finely delineated depicting a prince and his entourage visting a Sufi holy man and his disciples amidst rocky outcrops with a palace in the distance, with gold border and black rules; the reverse with rectangular cartouche of four-line Persian inscription, signature, and seal impression of Jahangir
Folio: 8 11/16 x 5 13/16 in. (22.1 x 14.8 cm.); image: 6½ x 4 1/8 in. (16.6 x 10.5 cm.)

Lot Essay

The Persian verses translate as follows: He (God) is the Raiser to Honor,/The beloved are books, ink and the pen,/The rest are affliction, anxiety and sorrow./The one upon whom God bestows all three steps over the celestial sphere. The scribe is Muhammad 'Ali. May God forgive his sins! 1022.

The Muhammad 'Ali of the inscription is likely Muhammad 'Ali Muzahhib of Shiraz, an illuminator and calligrapher in the court of Jahangir.

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