This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Rai Sal Darbari

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Holding Museum:

The Chester Beatty Library

About The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Date of Object:

Hegira c. 1008–14 / AD 1600–05

Museum Inventory Number:

CBL In 44.2

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Coloured pigments and gold on paper

Dimensions:

23.3 x 14.9 cm

Period / Dynasty:

Mughal

Provenance:

India

Description:

This painting of the Hindu courtier Rai Sal Darbari was once part of the Salim Album, which was assembled during the years 1600 to 1604, for Prince Salim before his accession as the emperor Jahangir. This especially striking depiction of Rai Sal Darbari was surely one of the finest paintings in the album. Immediately noticeable is the palette, with its stunning contrast of rich colours—crimson, ochre and purple—the intensity of which is relieved by the brilliant white of the figure’s turban and one of the patkas (sashes) that hangs from his waist. Closer inspection reveals the sensitive treatment of the figure’s face, the fine creases around the eyes and the facial hair, each individual strand of which has been painstakingly rendered.

Citation of this web page:

 "Rai Sal Darbari" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;ir;Mus21;45;en

MWNF Working Number: IR 45