Emperor Jahangir Embraces Shah Abbas
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Mixed Media |
| Current Location: | National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, DC, USA |
| Location History: | The location history of the painting Emperor Jahangir embraces Shah Abbas spans from the imperial courts of India and Iran to the art markets of Europe and America. Commissioned around 1618 at the Mughal Court, it remained housed in the Mughal Library in Delhi, India, until 1739 when it was plundered by Nadir Shah and brought to the Imperial Library in Tehran, Iran. There, it was bound into the St. Petersburg Album, which was later disassembled and dispersed into Europe during the late 19th century. By 1909, the painting resurfaced on the art market in Tehran before entering the private collection of art dealer Hagop Kevorkian in New York by 1944. Finally, in 1945, it was purchased by the National Museum of Asian Art, where it has since resided in the permanent collection in Washington, DC. |
This is an insightful and highly engaging breakdown of the power dynamics and political propaganda within Abu'l Hasan’s masterpiece. The analysis of the physical embrace, the globe, and the lion and lamb metaphors is incredibly clear and well-argued. Missing European Motifs: While the primary metaphors are clear, the prominent solar/lunar halo and the winged, angel-like figures (cherubs) in the background shouldn't be overlooked. Jahangir was heavily inspired by European Renaissance motifs brought over by Jesuit missionaries. Mentioning how he adapted these Christian and cosmic allegories will beautifully highlight how he adapted foreign artistic styles. ( https://www.jstor.org/stable/44143387?seq=3 ) Missing Full Hashiya (Border): The cropped image cuts out a vital element of Mughal and Persian album traditions. The highly ornate, gold-flecked floral border is an intrinsic part of Mughal Art Replacing this with the full folio will show the artwork as it was meant to be seen. ( https://asia.si.edu/explore-art-culture/collections/search/edanmdm:fsg_F1945.9a/ ) Medium Description: Instead of using a broad term like "mix media," explicitly use the precise historical cataloging terms for the materials used: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper. This small adjustment instantly elevates the academic professionalism of your article. ( https://asia.si.edu/explore-art-culture/collections/search/edanmdm:fsg_F1945.9a/ )