The Institute of Oriental Studies, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Painted in the early 17th century, this extraordinary Mughal miniature—attributed to the legendary court artist Ustad Mansur—stands as one of the most scientifically crucial artworks in human history. It offers what ornithologists consider to be one of the only accurate, colored depictions of a living dodo (Raphus cucullatus) drawn from direct observation before the species plummeted into extinction.
At the center of the composition, Mansur captures the flightless bird with his trademark Nadir-al-Asr ("Wonder of the Age") precision. Rather than the bloated, clumsy caricature often found in later European illustrations, Mansur’s dodo is rendered with an athletic, brownish-gray plumage, a prominent naked face, and a massive, heavy, curved beak tipped with a pale hook. The delicate graduation of color along its breast and the precise texture of its small, useless wings reflect a master study of natural anatomy.
Surrounding the central subject are other exotic avian specimens from Emperor Jahangir’s royal menagerie, including a vibrant green parrot, a speckled tragopan pheasant, and sandgrouses. The painting is framed within a classic, ornate Mughal border featuring delicate floral motifs, grounding this scientific documentation firmly within the high aesthetic tradition of the imperial court.
Rediscovered in the Hermitage Museum collection by zoologist A. Ivanov in 1958, this masterpiece bridges the gap between historical art and ecological history. It serves as a poignant, haunting monument for International Biodiversity Day—a vivid visual reminder of a unique local species lost forever to the global ecosystem, preserved only by the brushstroke of a master.
Attributed to Ustad Mansur, this early seventeenth-century Mughal miniature is among the most significant visual records of the dodo. Based on direct observation, it portrays the extinct bird with remarkable anatomical accuracy rather than as a caricature. Combining scientific documentation with Mughal artistic refinement, the painting preserves an invaluable record of biodiversity while demonstrating the imperial court's keen interest in natural history.
