This exquisite miniature painting dates back to 17th century. It is created by the famous painter Manohar Das. The painting depicts a beautiful royal white stallion in golden hue backdrop. This horse is owned by the prince Dara Shikoh. The painting reflects the sophisticated and elegance of the imperial and important equestrian portraiture. The painter go es an adequate and detailed meticulous attention to the features of the stallion along with the decorative elements, this highlighting the prizes creature of the Mughal court. Pandit Manohar Das paints the belly and legs of the horse red to depict that the stallion has been in war and emerged victorious, this it is painted red with henna.
The painting is housed at Johnson Collection at the British Library.
The horse is named Shabih-e-Dilpasand, and it is adorned with beautiful and elegant regalia, wearing decorative and embroided saddle cloth with tassles. The fine colourful tassels sway along the flank depicting movement in the painting.
The muted golden hue background presents the stallion in a controlled but majestic grace, exuding power and regalia.
This beautiful painting offers its audience a fascinating window into the opulence and power of the Mughal court life. It doesn't not just merely capture an animal portrait but also presents a cherished and benevolent companion of the Mughal prince.
Words?
Beloved horse of Dara Shikoh is what the title is suggesting. The Mughal emperors have great history of their likeness towards horses and of the important element who led them to successful expeditions and battles. It is painted by Manohar Das one the most celebrated artist under the reign of Jahangir he was famous for the portraits of imperial family and court life. The horse in the painting appears to be a white stallion horse decorated with red cloth which is followed by colourful tassels on the border, decorated cloth surrounding it's neck while red feets suggesting it's been through a war. There is also Persian inscribed writings to be noticed in black along with red while the backdrop is gold. It is as if the horse is walking. The painting suggests how important animals and companions were to the Mughal emperors there are portraits of not just emperors, princes, subahdars, queens amongst others.
