Folio from a Gulistan (Rosegarden) by Sa'di; recto: Sa'di in the rose garden; verso: text

Object Details

• Artist

  Attributed to Govardhan

• Calligrapher

  Sultan 'Ali Mashhadi

• Label

  The Mughal rulers of India, who reigned over much of northern India from 1526 to 1858, claimed descent from the Timurids and considered themselves the rightful heirs to their military, political, and cultural legacy. To reinforce their heritage, the Mughals avidly collected Timurid illustrated manuscripts and luxury goods. The folio belongs to an illustrated manuscript of Sa'di's Gulistan (Rose garden), which was copied in Herat in 1468-69 and was among the most prized possessions in the Mughal royal library. Sometime before the mid-seventeenth century, the manuscript suffered water damage, and the illustrations were repainted by some of the leading court artists of Shah Jahan (reigned 1628-57).

  Govardhan, a painter known for his interest in naturalism that was inspired by European pictorial conventions, is responsible for this sensitively rendered image of the author of the Gulistan and a companion. The idealized landscape, two-dimensional spatial organization, and subdued color scheme relate to Timurid artistic ideals.

• Provenance

  Shah Tahmasp (reigned 1524-1576), Persia [1]

  From at least 1558

  Akbar (reigned 1556-1605), India, from at least 1558 [2]

  Mughal Imperial Library [3]

  From at least 1644

  Jahan-ara, daughter of Shah Jahan (reigned 1628-1658), from at least 1644 [4]

  Marquis of Bute, England [5]

  To 1998

  The Art and History Trust, Liechtenstein, to 1998

  From 1998

  Freer Gallery of Art, given by the Art and History Trust in 1998 [6]

  Notes:

  [1] According to Curatorial Note 1, Massumeh Farhad, March 16, 1998, in the object record.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] See note 1.

  [4] See note 1. Shah-Jahan, was the grandson of Akbar.

  [5] According to Curatorial Note 3 in the object record.

  [6] The Art and History Trust was established in 1991 by Abolala Soudavar and his family of distinguished bibliophiles. Gathered over a period of some thirty years, the collection is presently on long-term loan to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. However, this particular manuscript was given in honor of Ezzat-Malek Soudavar to the Freer Gallery of Art on the occasion of its seventy-fifth anniversary (see Curatorial Note 3, Massumeh Farhad, August 18, 1998, in the object record).

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Engaging the Senses (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Worlds within Worlds: Imperial Paintings from India and Iran (July 28 to September 16, 2012)

  East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art (February 24 to May 13, 2007)

  In the Realm of Princes: The Arts of the Book in Fifteenth Century Iran and Central Asia (March 19 to August 7, 2005)

  Arts of the Islamic World (May 3, 1998 to January 3, 2016)

  Beyond the Legacy--Anniversary Acquisitions of the Freer Gallery of Art (October 11, 1998 to April 11, 1999)

  The Jewel and the Rose: Art of Shah Jahan (May 4, 1997 to January 25, 1998)

  A Mughal Hunt (March 13 to September 11, 1994)

  Art of the Persian Courts: Selections from the Art and History Trust (November 5, 1992 to April 6, 1997)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Shah Tahmasp (1524-1576)

  Akbar (reigned 1556-1605)

  Mughal Library

  The Art and History Trust

  The Art and History Trust

• Origin

  Historic Iran, present-day Afghanistan

• Credit Line

  Gift of the Art and History Trust in honor of Ezzat-Malek Soudavar

• Type

  Manuscript

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1640s, 1400s

• Name

  The Art and History Trust, Shah Tahmasp, Mughal Library, Akbar

• Place

  Afghanistan, India

• Topic

  Reign of Shah Jahan (1628 - 1658), Cats, Art, Animals, Mughal dynasty (1526 - 1858), Arts of the Islamic World, Phoenix, Illumination, Gardens, Gulistan, Dragon

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Manuscripts