Portrait of 'Ali 'Adil Shah II of Bijapur

Region India

Region Deccan

Dateabout 1670

MediumOpaque watercolor, gold metallic paint, and ink on paper

Dimensionsoverall: 37 x 25.6 cm (14 9/16 x 10 1/16 in.)

ClassificationsNon-Western Miniatures

Credit LineGift of Alexander H. Bullock

Terms

Object number1958.42

Label Text'Ali 'Adil Shah II (ruled 1656-72) was the eighth sultan of the 'Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. He was only eighteen when he ascended the throne and, because of his youthful vulnerability, was immediatly attacked by Aurangzeb, son of Emperor Shah Jahan and then viceroy of the Mughal Empire in the Deccan. The armies of 'Ali 'Adil Shah were defeated and he was forced to purchase peace with the Mughal's by surrendering a large protion of his territories. This is a late but fine example of Deccani portraiture, dating just a decade and a half before Aurangzeb conquered the Deccan and brought to an end its distinguished tradition of painting. Typical fo the period are the painting's design and ornate detail. Typical of Golconda are the rich two-dimensional surface, the extravagent use of gold on a purple background, and te careful symmetry of the delicate floral design on the sultan's green robe. The deep-rose nimbus around his head is similarto those used for Mughal emperors, and the flower pose is often found in portraits of noblemen from the region. Despite the finely executed naturalism of hs face, 'Ali 'Adil Shah has an unusual stiffness. This is balanced, however by the gentle, but exuberant, sweep of the lily and willow and he muted, but glowing, palette.ProvenanceAlexander H. Bullock, Worcester MA

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