recto: late 16th century; verso: ca. 1640
India
Object qualities
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Objectbook / magazine / album: Album leaf
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Author of the objectBishan Das
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumInk, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
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SizeH. 15 1/4 in. (38. 7 cm) W. 10 1/16 in. (25.6 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
India -
Country today
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Daterecto: late 16th century; verso: ca. 1640
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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verso: This panel of calligraphy conforms closely to the type probably established by the celebrated calligrapher Sultan ‘Ali about forty or fifty years earlier. The border illumination is signed by the artist Daulat, who executed paintings and marginalia for three generations of Mughal emperors, from Akbar to Shah Jahan. Mir ‘Ali was both the calligrapher and author of the lines written here:
One with the eye of gazelles
hunted the bird of my heart,
Robbed me of steadfastness,
robbed me, poor lover, of rest.
Counsel and good advice
is no longer of use–
There is no use anymore,
friends, in counseling me!
The poor ‘Ali.