Shah Tahmasp of Iran thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Shah Tahmasp of Iran

Painting
early 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Sahifa Banu (maker)
Place of origin
Mughal Empire (made)

This Mughal portrait of the Iranian ruler Shah Tahmasp (r. 1524-1576) is a rare example of a work by a woman artist. The Persian inscription in black beneath the painting identifies the subject and adds that it was done by Sahifa Banu. Nothing is known of her life.
The folio has a panel of illuminated calligraphy on the reverse (IM.117a-1921). It was bequeathed to the museum, with other folios, by Lady Wantage in 1921.


Object details

Categories
Paintings
Royalty
Bonita Trust Indian Paintings Cataloguing Project
Object type
Painting
TitleShah Tahmasp of Iran (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour on paper
Opaque Watercolour
Paper
Painted
Brief description
Painting, Shah Tahmasp of Iran, by Sahifa Banu, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, early 17th century
Physical description
Painting, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, depicting Shah Tahmasp of Iran in solitary meditation, by Sahifa Banu.
Dimensions
  • Page height: 386mm (maximum)
  • Page width: 254mm
  • Image within innermost painted borders height: 150mm
  • Image within innermost painted borders width: 192mm
Half Imperial Mount (Portrait)
Content description
Shah Tahmasp of Iran.
Style
Mughal
Marks and inscriptions
'Sahifa Banu'
Credit line
Bequeathed by Lady Wantage
Subjects depicted
Ruler
Shah Tahmasp
Summary
This Mughal portrait of the Iranian ruler Shah Tahmasp (r. 1524-1576) is a rare example of a work by a woman artist. The Persian inscription in black beneath the painting identifies the subject and adds that it was done by Sahifa Banu. Nothing is known of her life.
The folio has a panel of illuminated calligraphy on the reverse (IM.117a-1921). It was bequeathed to the museum, with other folios, by Lady Wantage in 1921.
Bibliographic references
  • STRONGE, Susan. Painting for the Mughal Emperor: The Art of the Book 1560 – 1660 London : V&A Publications, 2002. 192p, ill. ISBN 1 85177 358 4. pps. 116-117, pl. 82
  • Stronge, S. Made for Mughal Emperors. Royal Treasures from Hindustan. London and New York, 2010 p. 123, pl. 88
  • Clarke, C. Stanley; Indian Drawings: Thirty Mogul Paintings of the School of Jehangir and Four Panels of Calligraphy ini the Wantage Bequest. London 1922 No. 27, pl. 18
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IM.117-1921

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O405633/shah-tahmasp-of-iran-painting-sahifa-banu/
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