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Shamsa (sunburst) with portrait of Aurangzeb (1618-1707), from the Emperors Album…
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Shamsa (sunburst) with portrait of Aurangzeb (1618-1707), from the Emperors Album…
Shamsa (sunburst) with portrait of Aurangzeb (1618-1707), from the Emperors Album (the Kevorkian Album), illumination 1640-55; original portrait c. 1640-50; altered after 1658. This closing page of an imperial Mughal album originally had the shamsa, or sunburst, with a plain gold disc in the center, referencing the light of God as divine sanction for Emperor Shah Jahans rule. The depiction of divine light by means of floral and geometric patterns was painted by hand with mathematical precision in gold and lapis lazuli. The portrait of Aurangzeb was probably added when he took over the imperial library after seizing the throne from his father, Shah Jahan, in 1658 and adopting the name Alamgir, which means " Seizer of the Universe." The string of prayer beads in his right hand points to his extreme religious orthodoxy, which dramatically altered the culture of the Mughal court from what had previously been an openly ecumenical center
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Media ID 19639563
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Active C Mughal Court Opaque Watercolour And Gold On Paper Probably By Bichitr
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable piece of artistry from the Mughal era. The image features a stunning shamsa, or sunburst, with a portrait of Aurangzeb at its center. Originally part of an imperial Mughal album known as the Emperors Album (the Kevorkian Album), this particular page holds immense historical and cultural significance. The shamsa, meticulously hand-painted with mathematical precision using gold and lapis lazuli, symbolizes divine light and serves as a representation of Emperor Shah Jahan's rule under the sanction of God. However, after Aurangzeb seized the throne from his father in 1658 and assumed the name Alamgir (meaning "Seizer of the Universe"), he added his own portrait to this artwork. Aurangzeb's extreme religious orthodoxy is evident through his depiction holding prayer beads in his right hand. This portrayal signifies how his reign dramatically transformed the previously ecumenical nature of the Mughal court. The combination of intricate floral and geometric patterns within this composition exemplifies both artistic mastery and devotion to religious ideals. It is a testament to the rich cultural heritage that thrived during this period. Preserved by Heritage Art/Heritage Images, this print allows us to appreciate not only the aesthetic beauty but also delve into significant historical moments that shaped Mughal history.
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