A Mughal prince, perhaps the future emperor Bahadur Shah (reigned 1701-1712) or his son Azim al-Shan (front); Page of calligraphy (back)
Place of OriginNorthern India
Dateapprox. 1675-1710
MaterialsOpaque watercolors and gold on paper
Dimensions.1: H. 16 5/8 in x W. 11 1/4 in, H. 42.2 cm x W. 28.6 cm; .2: H. 16 3/4 in x W. 11 1/4 in, H. 42.5 cm xm W. 28.6 cm
Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. David Buchanan
Object number2007.36ab
DepartmentSouth Asian Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on viewThe rose completes the prince
Of the many flowers in this sumptuous portrait of a Mughal prince, the rose in his left hand carries powerful symbolism. The rose is a celebrated flower that symbolizes several virtues prized in Persian and Indian culture: perfection, beauty, elegance, and refinement. His right hand rests on the hilt of a sheathed sword. These two objects—the flower and the sword— signify aspects of an ideal ruler: he is both aesthete and warrior.
(Label from exhibition Flower Power)
approx. 1690-1700
approx. 1670
painting 1603-04; underlying page with border 1608-23
approx. 1800-1900
approx. 1710-1720
approx. 1755-1770
approx. 1740-1760
