Preparing the palace feast, from the Garden (Bustān)

Muhammad Murad Samarqandi was an outstanding painter from Central Asia’s Bukhara region who lived and created in the first half of the 17th century. This area was strongly influenced by the Mughal Empire in India. The period was also prolific for art in Persia, Central Asia, and South Asia, resulting in the Mughal court style being very popular in the region. The talented painter incorporated the traits of Mughal miniature paintings into his works, inspired by traditional Central Asian illustration. The work Preparing the Palace Feast (c. 1616) is an illustration for Sa’di’s Bustān, a famous Persian book of poetry. It demonstrates the artist’s ability to capture the bustle and activity of the royal court. Unlike the Mughal painting, which usually depicted sovereigns in a formalised manner, Samarqandi’s illustration concentrates on the preparation of food for the palace feast. Thus, the artist shows cooks’ backs facing the viewer at the front left of the painting. They stir a large pot above the open fire. Other chefs carry trays of food and talk with each other. Meanwhile, the trees are abundant with foliage and flowers, and servants chitchat in lively manners. The painter’s skill is evident in the work’s composition, which is complemented by intricate decorative elements. The minute lines and dots depict a series of animals, including deer. They are presented alongside a variety of flora, framing the picture. The finest quality gold ink was used to render the delicate work. The overall effect is one of a vibrant and lively painting. Today this painting is part of the Chester Beatty collection, and the folio’s superb illumination represents the manuscript art of the early 17th century.