Question

The Mughal school painting from your syllabus, captures the grace of one majestic bird.
(i) Mention the name of this painting and who is the artist?
(ii) Briefly describe the subject matter and mention the honorary title awarded to the artist, signed in this painting.

Hint:

Jahangir's reign is considered the golden era for naturalist studies in Mughal art. Painters like Ustad Mansur achieved an almost photographic realism using a fine-brush technique called Ek-baal-qalam (one-hair brush).

Answer 1

Step 1: Identifying the Painting and Artist (Part i):
The painting depicting a majestic bird in the Mughal school is:

• Title of the Painting: Falcon on a Bird-Rest
• Artist: Ustad Mansur
• Period: Jahangir Period (c. 1618-1620 AD)

Step 2: Describing the Subject Matter (Part ii):
The painting depicts a pet falcon brought from Persia by Emperor Shah Abbas as a gift to Emperor Jahangir. Sadly, the prized bird was later bitten by a cat and died. Jahangir, who was deeply passionate about nature, ordered his master painter Ustad Mansur to record the bird's likeness to preserve its memory.

• The falcon is shown perched in profile on a highly decorated, cushioned bird-rest.
• The bird has a fierce, sharp expression, highlighted by its keen yellow eyes ringed with black.
• The texture of its feathers is painted with microscopic detail, using subtle shades of white, brown, and grey.
• A string is tied around its neck, falling gracefully onto the floor. The background is simple and plain, making the majestic bird the central focus.

Step 3: Mentioning the Honorary Title:
Recognizing Ustad Mansur's genius in portraying flora and fauna, Emperor Jahangir bestowed upon him the prestigious honorary title of “Nadir-al-Asr” (meaning Wonder of the Age or Unique of the Epoch). This title is signed on the left side of this painting.