Not currently on display at the V&A

Humayun (1945)

Film Poster
1980s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This film explores the relationship between the Mughal rulers and their Rajput subjects. It sees the emperor, Humayun, sacrifice his kingdom for a Rajput princess. The poster conveys the historical setting of the film through the depiction of the emperor's portrait adorned with his jewelled turban, and the portraits shown in profile which imitate the style of painting used in the Mughal period. The fighting figures in the foreground suggest the epic nature of the film which was famed for its elaborate sets and grand battle scenes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHumayun (1945)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph on paper
Brief description
Indian film poster.
Physical description
From the top left hand side to the bottom right hand side three large portraits fill the poster. They are facing left and are in profile overlapping each other. The male portrait at the bottom is wearing a jewel adorned turban. Filling the bottom left hand side of the poster is an image of an army of men on horses charging ahead as if in battle. The title runs across the bottom and the Mehboob studio logo is at the top.
Dimensions
  • Height: 102cm
  • Width: 76cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
This film explores the relationship between the Mughal rulers and their Rajput subjects. It sees the emperor, Humayun, sacrifice his kingdom for a Rajput princess. The poster conveys the historical setting of the film through the depiction of the emperor's portrait adorned with his jewelled turban, and the portraits shown in profile which imitate the style of painting used in the Mughal period. The fighting figures in the foreground suggest the epic nature of the film which was famed for its elaborate sets and grand battle scenes.
Credit line
Given by Mehboob Productions (Private) Ltd., Mumbai, India
Subjects depicted
Summary
This film explores the relationship between the Mughal rulers and their Rajput subjects. It sees the emperor, Humayun, sacrifice his kingdom for a Rajput princess. The poster conveys the historical setting of the film through the depiction of the emperor's portrait adorned with his jewelled turban, and the portraits shown in profile which imitate the style of painting used in the Mughal period. The fighting figures in the foreground suggest the epic nature of the film which was famed for its elaborate sets and grand battle scenes.
Associated object
Bibliographic reference
Rachel Dwyer & Divia Patel, Cinema India: The Visual Culture of the Hindi Film, Reaktion Press, 2002.
Collection
Accession number
IS.8-2001

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Record createdAugust 8, 2001
Record URL
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