Cleveland Museum of Art

Nur Jahan holding a portrait of Emperor Jahangir

Bishandas

Date: c. 1627
Medium: gum tempera and gold on paper
Culture: Mughal India
Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

A woman identified as the favorite wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (reigned 1605–27) holds a formal portrait of her husband. He appears aged with graying facial hair behind the jharokha carpet that marks imperial presence. This painting may be modeled on a work depicting Jahangir holding a portrait of his deceased father, showing himself to be the legitimate successor. Nur Jahan, who handled most of the affairs of state, hoped to remain in power after his death. She is depicted in her idealized youth, since she would have been 50 years old when Jahangir died. Jahangir died at 58, outliving his younger brothers by about 25 years.

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