Painting for the Mughal emperor : the art of the book, 1560-1660

A detailed survey of the Victoria and Albert Museum's renowned collection of the golden age of the Mughal empire. "The golden age of the Mughal empire comprised the reigns of three emperors: Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Their land, which they called Hindustan, was a conquered one; their language was Persian; they employed Hindu and Muslim artists and commissioned books and paintings with themes drawn from these varied traditions, and from Europe. This complex cultural framework produced some of the finest court paintings ever seen in the Subcontinent." "In Painting for the Mughal Emperor Susan Stronge provides a detailed survey of the Victoria and Albert Museum's renowned collection of the period, tracing the place of individual works in the Mughal tradition of arts of the book." "The collection includes pictures from the first major project of the new Mughal studio, the epic adventures of the Muslim hero Hamza: dramatic battles and episodes from the life of the emperor Akbar from the famous Akbarnama; and a remarkable series of portraits of the emperors, the sons, and leading members of the court from the early 17th century. Certain portraits and studies of wildlife by masters such as Mansur and Manahar were preserved in albums for Jahangir and Shah Jahan, and both rulers marked their ownership by writing occasional comments on the pages, while Shah Jahan's artists added exquisite floral borders, in themselves masterpieces of the at of decoration. A rich and sophisticated culture is mirrored in these paintings and explored in the accompanying text; the result is a book of both scholarship and beauty."--Jacket. The Golden Age Of The Mughal Empire Comprised The Reigns Of Three Emperors: Akbar, Jahangir And Shah Jahan. Their Land, Which They Called Hindustan, Was A Conquered One; Their Language Was Persian; They Employed Hindu And Muslim Artists And Commissioned Books And Paintings With Themes Drawn From These Varied Traditions, And From Europe. This Complex Cultural Framework Produced Some Of The Finest Court Paintings Ever Seen In The Subcontinent. In Painting For The Mughal Emperor Susan Stronge Provides A Detailed Survey Of The Victoria And Albert Museum's Renowned Collection Of The Period, Tracing The Place Of Individual Works In The Mughal Tradition Of Arts Of The Book. The Collection Includes Pictures From The First Major Project Of The New Mughal Studio, The Epic Adventures Of The Muslim Hero Hamza: Dramatic Battles And Episodes From The Life Of The Emperor Akbar From The Famous Akbarnama; And A Remarkable Series Of Portraits Of The Emperors, The Sons, And Leading Members Of The Court From The Early 17th Century. Certain Portraits And Studies Of Wildlife By Masters Such As Mansur And Manahar Were Preserved In Albums For Jahangir And Shah Jahan, And Both Rulers Marked Their Ownership By Writing Occasional Comments On The Pages, While Shah Jahan's Artists Added Exquisite Floral Borders, In Themselves Masterpieces Of The At Of Decoration. A Rich And Sophisticated Culture Is Mirrored In These Paintings And Explored In The Accompanying Text; The Result Is A Book Of Both Scholarship And Beauty.--jacket. Painting At The Court Of Akbar -- The Making Of A Royal Manuscript -- Illustrating The Akbarnama -- The Baburnama And Beyond -- Painting For Jahangir -- Painting For Shah Jahan. Susan Stronge. This Book Concentrates Almost Exclusively On The V&a Collection ... --p. [6]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [188]-189) And Index. A unique blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles, Mughal painting reached its golden age during the reigns of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan in the 16th and 17th centuries. This gloriously illustrated book is the first to examine the Victoria and Albert Museum's remarkable collection of Mughal paintings, one of the finest in the world. Richly detailed battle scenes, scenes of court life, and lively depictions of the hunt were commissioned by the royal courts, along with a remarkable series of portraits, studies of wildlife, and decorative borders. The authoritative text contains much new research, and the beautifully reproduced color illustrations give this stunning volume wide appeal. This volume provides a detailed survey of the Victoria and Albert Museum's renowned collection of painting from the great age of the Mughals, covering the reigns of three emperors: Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.