Painted around 1610-1615 by the artist Daulat, a distinguished painter of the Mughal court during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir, this illustration is a folio from the Gulistan (Rose Garden), a collection of moral tales written by the thirteenth-century Persian poet Sa’di. The painting depicts the story of an elderly man who marries a much younger woman named Pearl but is unable to consummate the marriage. Blaming his wife for the failed relationship, he brings the matter before a qadi (magistrate), who reminds the man of his own shortcomings by remarking, ”You whose hand trembles, what can you know about piercing a pearl ?” The story therefore reiterates the importance of self-awareness and accepting one’s own limitations. The scene is set within the elegant architecture of the Mughal court. Daulat’s attention to detail can be seen in the figures surrounding the central scene wearing richly decorated garments, in particular the African figure in bright yellow. Even the gestures and expressions of the figures bring the narrative to life. By combining Persian literary tradition with the artistic sophistication of the Mughal court, An Old Man and His Young Wife Before Religious Arbitrators remains an outstanding example of Daulat's storytelling ability and technical mastery.
The painting highlights the pivotal scene in the story where the moral is provided to the reader. The painter Daulat manages to capture individual expressions with vivid colours and a realistic style. The painting also shows the diversity of the court by having the African be a vibrant figure.
