Title: Portrait of Emperor Akbar Praying

Date: early 17th century

Geography: Attributed to India

Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions: Overall: H. 10 9/16 in. (26.8 cm)
                       W. 6 1/16 in. (15.4 cm)
                       Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
                       W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm)

Classification: Codices

Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Horace Havemeyer, 1929

Accession Number: 29.160.20

Provenance: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, New York (until 1929; gifted to MMA)

 

This work, drawn shortly before the high point of Mughal portraiture, shows an aged emperor Akbar holding a rosary during prayer. It was commissioned soon before or after his death in 1605 and is paired with a similar portrait of his son and successor Jahangir. Although neutral tones dominate, the sash around his waist is accented in red and blue.

 

The underdrawings, especially visible at Akbar’s feet and legs, indicates that the artist departed from his original plan in the process of executing this portrait.