THE PAINTINGS DECCAN. INDIA AND SAFAVID IRAN, 18TH CENTURY; THE CALLIGRAPHY MUGHAL INDIA, DATED AH 1147/1734 AD

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Mughal and Safavid courts established a significant artistic tradition focused on portraying birds. Artists like Mansur and Shafi Abbasi were instrumental in creating intricate and lifelike representations of birds, showcasing their mastery at capturing nature's beauty with precision. Mansur, a celebrated Mughal court artist during Emperor Jahangir's rule, stood out for his ability to authentically depict birds. His scientific approach to rendering flora and fauna, including birds, set new standards for naturalistic art in Mughal culture. Noted for meticulous details, anatomical accuracy, and vibrant colors, Mansur's bird paintings remain admired for both their ornithological accuracy and aesthetic appeal. Shafi Abbasi, an accomplished Safavid court artist in Iran during the late 16th century, reflected cultural exchange between Safavid and Mughal courts. His bird paintings, characterized by delicacy and exquisite detail, often combined floral and avian motifs, shaping the artistic landscape of the era. The legacy of depicting birds endured past the 16th and 17th centuries, continued by artists like Abdul Hasan (Manohar) under the Emperors Akbar and Jahangir. These artists' contributions reflected deep reverence for nature and commitment to artistic excellence. Their works not only pleased patrons aesthetically but also contributed to ornithological understanding and the interplay between art and science. Our album page is an 18th-century combination of Safavid and Mughal bird studies, inspired by the above mentioned masters, backed with a specimen of Mughal calligraphy by an unknown calligrapher. A study of a bird perched on a hazel branch signed by Shafi 'Abbasi is in the David Collection (inv. no. 7/2004). For further examples of bird studies by Mansur see Metropolitan Museum collection inv. nos. 55.121.10.16 and 55.121.10.12. Meanwhile, a Mughal depiction of an Indian Pitta was published by Toby Falk in Indian Painting, Colnaghi's, London, 1978, no.23, pp.35 and 90.