Rosette Bearing the Name and Title of Emperor Aurangzeb (Recto), from the Shah Jahan Album

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Rosette Bearing the Name Title of Emperor Aurang (Recto), from Shah Jahan Album*, stunning page crafted by the master calligrapher Mir 'Ali Har. Created around 1658 on the recto—with the verso dating to circa 1630–40—this artwork hails from the opulent Mughal court of India. The Shah Jahan Album, for the emperor famed for the Taj Mahal, was a prestigious collection of calligraphy and illuminations, showcasing the empire's artistic pinnacle during its golden age. Rendered in ink, opaque watercolor, and shimmering gold on paper (measuring 15 3/16 x 10 7/16 inches), the rosette design elegantly encircles the name and titles of Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan's successor who ascended in 1658. Mir 'Ali Haravi, from Herat, exemplifies nasta'liq script's fluid grace, a hallmark of Persian-influenced Islamic calligraphy prized in Mughal ateliers. The lavish use of gold and vibrant pigments highlights the technical virtuosity of miniature painting traditions, where precision met poetic beauty. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection (acquired in 1955), this codex folio reflects Mughal patronage's cultural zenith—blending devotion, imperial pride, and artistry. Visitors, imagine emperors treasuring such pages as symbols of power and piety!