Equestrian Portrait of Emperor Shah Jahan

The equestrian portrait of Shah Jahan depicts the Emperor in full majesty, attired in a dazzling outfit and bedecked with jewels. He strides serenely on a magnificent horse which is decorated with equal splendor. The city in the background most likely represents his newly-founded capital, situated on the shores of the Yamuna. This was much before Shah Jahan shifted the capital to Delhi (Shahjahanabad). The angels or cherubs above herald his coming and offer him symbols of royalty: a jeweled garland, a crown and a sword wrapped in brocade. The painting made in opaque watercolor and gold on paper is signed by Govardhan, who was previously employed by Jahangir. This artist specialized in portraiture and represented the princes and nobles of the court as well as the more-humble members of the society, such a musicians, Mullahs and ascetics. Govardhan, a master of psychological portraiture, has incorporated cherubs which add a cosmopolitan touche brought to Mughal Courts by Jesuit and other European travellers. Govardhan who served in the imperial atelier under Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan, was a Hindu whose name is derived from the mountain miraculously elevated by the god Krishna. He was one of the six foremost Mughal artists. His psychologically penetrating portraiture and swelling forms suggest that he studied with Basawan, Akbar's greatest master, upon whose painterly brushwork he modelled his own. Fond of swirls and sparkle, he enjoyed depicting marbled paper, and he handled gold with extraordinary skill, highlighting, striating, and pricking it. Although his court portraiture is outstanding, Govardhan's most striking characterizations are intimate studies of holy men, probably painted for Prince Dara-Shikoh, the ill-fated son of Shahjahan, whose religious toleration and mystical tendencies were akin to those of his great-grandfather. Govardhan was the son of artist Bhavani Das, a minor painter in the imperial workshop. An artist of extraordinary breadth, Govardhan contributed to the Akbarnama and Baburnama and created many outstanding depictions of the court and its activities. Almost all of his works are with British, European and American Museums and Collectors. This particular painting resides in the Smithsonian (Freer Gallery of Art).

Museum Grade Canvas

Museum grade 370 GSM Canvas by Hahnemuhle

Matt-coated inkjet canvas | poly - cotton fabric | 370 gsm | Natural white | Zero artificial optical brighteners | Acid and lignin free | Museum quality for highest age resistance

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Premium Age Resistant Art Paper – 200 GSM

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