A Discourse Between Muslim Theologians

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A Discourse Between Muslim Theologians

India, Mughal Empire, circa 1630
Drawings; watercolors
Opaque watercolor, gold, silver, and ink on paper
Image: 8 3/16 x 5 1/4 in. (20.8 x 13.34 cm); Sheet: 13 1/8 x 8 3/16 in. (33.34 x 20.8 cm)
From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, purchased with funds provided by Mr. and Mrs. Allan C. Balch (M.85.2.3)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

Orthodox Islamic theologians (mullas), such as those represented here, are honored for their profound knowledge of the Qur'an and their interpretation of Islamic law based on the teachings of Muhammad...
Orthodox Islamic theologians (mullas), such as those represented here, are honored for their profound knowledge of the Qur'an and their interpretation of Islamic law based on the teachings of Muhammad. Revered for their erudition and integrity, mullas were extremely influential at the Mughal court and served as advisors to the emperor and as ambassadors to foreign courts. Seated upon a platform in a meadow, a bearded mulla explicates a passage from a book, in which the first line has the name of Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658). (Translation by B. N. Goswamy.) Another mulla at the far right strokes his beard as he rationally considers what he hears. The mulla to the speaker’s right stares out into the distance while fingering his rosary, as though transported by the speaker’s words. The mulla at the far left stares intently at the speaker. The painting is attributed to the Mughal artist Govardhan (active 1596-circa 1645). In his sophisticated works, a central theme is introduced and individual responses to it are explored. The figures are subtly shaded in the European manner and often set in front of Dutch or Flemish-inspired landscapes employing aerial perspective, in which distant objects are portrayed as if viewed through an atmospheric haze. The three sheep herders in the distant center reappear in another painting attributed to Govardhan in the Cleveland Museum of Art (1971.79). The painting was enlarged and later remounted into a Shah Jahan-period floral border.
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Bibliography

  • Rosenfield, John.  The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.  Boston:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
  • Heeramaneck, Alice N.  Masterpieces of Indian Painting : From the Former Collections of Nasli M. Heeramaneck.  New York:  A.N. Heeramaneck, 1984.
  • Rosenfield, John.  The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.  Boston:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.
  • Heeramaneck, Alice N.  Masterpieces of Indian Painting : From the Former Collections of Nasli M. Heeramaneck.  New York:  A.N. Heeramaneck, 1984.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Janice Leoshko, Joseph M. Dye, III,  Stephen Markel.  Romance of the Taj Mahal.  Los Angeles:  Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1989.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Painting, vol.1. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1993.
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