Emperor Farrukhsiyar Bestows a Jewel on a Nobleman
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Gouache |
| Current Location: | The David Collection, Copenhagen, Denmark. |
The picture Emperor Farrukhsiyar Bestows a Jewel on a Nobleman by Chitarman II is like a window into the life of the family. It shows us what authority, hierarchy, loyalty and the relationship between the Mughal emperor and his court was like. When the emperor gives a jewel to the nobleman it is not just a nice thing to do. It means the emperor has the power to give people wealth and make them important. The nobleman bows down to show respect. That he is loyal to the emperor. To me the picture says that the emperor is the important person and he decides who gets what. It takes an act of giving and turns it into a big statement about who is in charge how society works and what keeps the royal court together. The way the picture is set up puts Farrukhsiyar in the middle which shows how important he is. He looks calm and in control, which is different from the nobleman who looks like he is trying to show respect. The other people around them are like witnesses to what's happening. They help show that there is a hierarchy with the emperor at the top. The picture is full of gold, bright colors and fancy clothes, which shows how rich and powerful the Mughal court was. It also shows us what life was like in the court, where giving and receiving gifts was a way to show loyalty and get favors.