Allegorical representation of Emperor Jahangir and Shah Abbas of Persia from the St. Petersburg Album
This brilliantly executed painting from the St. Petersburg album is one of several allegorical representations of Jahangir by Abu'l Hasan, one of the finest painters of the imperial atelier.
The radiant and powerful Jahangir is depicted comforting his meek, submissive cousin, Shah Abbas of Iran. This has nothing to do with historical fact, however, and is pure wish-fulfillment on Jahangir's part. The rulers were intense rivals, the focus of their mutual antagonism centering on Qandahar, in Afghanistan, a territory and fortress under Mughal control. (See also F1942.16a)
Credit: Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
c. 1618-1748
Opaque watercolor, ink, silver and gold on paper
23.8 x 15.4cm
Images and text © Freer|Sackler Galleries, 2017
Where you'll find this
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
Permanent collection