Chitaraman (Indian). <em>The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh</em>, ca. 1630–1640. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in memory of Stanley J. Love, 1994.42 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.42_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

Chitaraman (Indian). The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh, ca. 1630–1640. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in memory of Stanley J. Love, 1994.42 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.42_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

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The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh

Chitaraman

Asian Art

This group portrait was made for the emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1627 to 1658. It shows four generations of the Mughal dynasty in a gathering that never actually took place. Shah Jahan (at the right) receives a falcon—an emblem of imperial authority—from his grandfather, Akbar, who was considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors. Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, against whom he had rebelled, sits to the side, holding a different falcon. Meanwhile, Shah Jahan's favorite son, Dara Shikoh, stands beside him as intended heir. The image illustrates the dynastic lineage, while revealing that Shah Jahan preferred to think of himself as his grandfather's heir.

ARTIST Chitaraman, Indian

MEDIUM Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Place Made: India

DATES ca. 1630–1640

DYNASTY Mughal Dynasty

DIMENSIONS 22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 1994.42

CREDIT LINE Gift of the Asian Art Council in memory of Stanley J. Love

PROVENANCE Prior to 1994, provenance not yet documented; by 1994, acquired by Kapoor Galleries Inc., New York, NY; 1994, purchased from Kapoor Galleries Inc. by the Brooklyn Museum.

Provenance FAQ

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This group portrait was made for the emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1627 to 1658. It shows four generations of the Mughal dynasty in a gathering that never actually took place. Shah Jahan (at the right) receives a falcon -- an emblem of imperial authority -- from his grandfather Akbar, who was considered the greatest of the Mughal emperors. Shah Jahan's father, Jahangir, against whom he rebelled, sits to the side, holding a different falcon. Meanwhile, Shah Jahan's favorite son, Dara Shikoh, stands beside him as inended heir. The image illustrates the dynastic lineage, while revealing that Shah Jahan preferred to think of himself as his grandfather's heir.

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Chitaraman (Indian). The Emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan with Their Ministers and Prince Dara Shikoh, ca. 1630–1640. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 22 x 32 in. (55.9 x 81.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Asian Art Council in memory of Stanley J. Love, 1994.42 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.42_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1994.42_IMLS_SL2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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