"Auspicious Meeting with Prince" Mughal Painting

Artistic expression was strongly encouraged during India’s Mughal period, resulting in a rich tradition of painting that includes exquisitely detailed and masterfully painted miniatures. This miniature features a prince receiving a female guest on the palace terrace, surrounded by the luxuries of courtly life. Although the nature of their conversation isn’t clear, there is an intimacy to their shared gaze and posture of the prince, his hand extended to touch the woman’s shoulder. Like most miniatures, the artist includes a vista of the surrounding lands to suggest the breadth and reach of the regal realm.