Enormous use of gold also speaks of his princely status. His jama, shoes and pajamas are made entirely and his shash and turban partially out of gold-thread. The handles and sheaths of his swords are richly inlaid and mounted in gold. His shash too is elegantly brocaded and the crown gorgeously inlaid. He carries two swords, as was not unusual with medieval princes, and the rubies, emeralds, pearls and other stones used for bejewelling him are too large for anyone other than a prince of high birth. His well trimmed beard, fine delicate complexion and his total figurative grace further corroborate his identity. The yak-tail which crowns his turban was an auspicious Mughal symbol.
Against a turquoise green background the artist, using various tones of green itself, has skilfully sought almost all his projections. The crown, jama, shoes, the leaves of embroidered butis, the check-lines on his walking sword and on the sheath of the other one, the plume on his crown, the sky-line above and the meadow under his feet (both used for binding the backdrop), are various tones of green. Deep maroon, the other color used in the painting, is again a combination of green with red. The artist seems to have experimented with green, discovering its strength as well as all possible forms of man and his attire and landscape out of its multi-tones.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist