"Portrait of Qilich Khan Turani", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
recto: ca. 1640; verso: ca. 1530–50
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
H. 15 1/4 in. (38.7 cm) W. 10 5/16 in. (26.2 cm)
Classification
Codices
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Rogers Fund and The Kevorkian Foundation Gift, 1955
Accession Number
55.121.10.30
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite folio from the Shah Jahan Album, titledPortrait of Qilich Turani*, showcases the splendor of Mughal court art. Compiled during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahanr. 1628–58), the album gathered prized paintings from across generations, reflecting the emperor's passion for collecting masterpieces. The recto features a portrait by La'lchand around 1640, depicting the nobleman Qilich Khan Tur in elegant attire adorned with flowers, while the verso, by the renowned Mir 'Ali Haravi from ca. 1530–50, likely complements it with intricate designs. Crafted in ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper—a hallmark of Persianate miniature painting—the artwork exemplifies fine-line precision and vibrant coloration. Mir 'Ali, a master from Herat, brought Safavid influences with his delicate, naturalistic figures, while La'lchand's Mughal style emphasizes portrait realism, capturing the sitter's dignified poise and floral motifs symbolizing status and beauty. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department, this 16-by-10-inch codex leaf highlights the cultural synthesis of Persian, Timurid, and Indian traditions in 17th-century India. Such albums were imperial treasures, blending portraiture's personalization with ornamental splendor, offering visitors a window into the refined world of Mughal elites.
About the Artist
La'lchand|Mir 'Ali Haravi ( | ) · |1525 – |1575
|died ca. 1550