Skip to main content

A Wise Man with Soldiers

Culture
Indian
Date
1604
made in
India, Asia
Collection
Islamic Art
Current Location
Not on view
Dimensions
image: 8 15/16 x 4 3/4 in. (22.7 x 12.1 cm)
sheet: 13 9/16 x 8 3/4 in. (34.4 x 22.2 cm)
mat size: 22 x 16 in. (55.9 x 40.6 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of J. Lionberger Davis
Rights
Public Domain
Object Number
390:1952
NOTES
This painting depicts a Muslim sheikh, a respected elder and spiritual leader, mounted on a dark horse and accompanied by an escort of soldiers. The illustration records an event from the Akbarnāma (Book of Akbar), an official history commissioned in 1590 by Emperor Akbar of India (1542–1605). The work, written in three volumes over seven years, traces the emperor’s illustrious ancestry and the accomplishments of his reign. The manuscript was illustrated in two separate projects, one in the later 1590s and another in 1604. This painting dates from the latter project.

The fine ink and gold illustrated border is from the Persian dictionary Farhāng-i Jahangīrī of around 1618 and was mounted with the painting sometime during the early 20th century.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at [email protected].