Painting
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Two princes are seated beneath a canopy on a terrace overlooking a lotus-strewn river conversing and listening to music by the light of the moon. The composition is meticulously balanced - both of the central figures are leaning against large bolsters, and with two attendants to either side. Even the royal accessories in the foreground are equally balanced before each prince. The standing attendants behind each figure are both holding a sword, presumably belonging to these unidentified main figures. It is particularly noteworthy that each prince is positioned on the same level, the figures are the same size, and each is leaning against a bolster of the same proportions. This may reflect that the two are of similar political importance. In the strict hierarchy of representation in Mughal painting, political and social standing is often represented through darbar scenes, as well as less formal scenes of palace life. The subtle colour palette of whites and greys accentuates the night-time setting.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, princes seated on terrace, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Murshidabad, 18th century |
| Physical description | Painting, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, two princes are seated beneath a canopy on a terrace overlooking a lotus-strewn river conversing and listening to music by the light of the moon. |
| Dimensions |
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| Content description | Two princes are seated beneath a canopy on a terrace overlooking a lotus-strewn river conversing and listening to music by the light of the moon. |
| Style | |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Two princes are seated beneath a canopy on a terrace overlooking a lotus-strewn river conversing and listening to music by the light of the moon. The composition is meticulously balanced - both of the central figures are leaning against large bolsters, and with two attendants to either side. Even the royal accessories in the foreground are equally balanced before each prince. The standing attendants behind each figure are both holding a sword, presumably belonging to these unidentified main figures. It is particularly noteworthy that each prince is positioned on the same level, the figures are the same size, and each is leaning against a bolster of the same proportions. This may reflect that the two are of similar political importance. In the strict hierarchy of representation in Mughal painting, political and social standing is often represented through darbar scenes, as well as less formal scenes of palace life. The subtle colour palette of whites and greys accentuates the night-time setting. |
| Bibliographic reference | Jackson, Anna and Ji Wei (eds.) with Rosemary Crill, Ainsley M. Cameron and Nicholas Barnard, compiled by the Palace Museum, translated by Yuan Hong, Qi Yue and Liu Ran. The Splendour of India' Royal Courts : Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Beijing: the Forbidden City Publishing House, 2013. Text in English and Chinese. ISBN 9787513403917.
pps. 70 and 71 |
| Other number | 4940 - Previous number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | AL.4940 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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