Portret van Akanna Pandit, opperschrijver van de koning (shahnawis-i kull) in het domein van Sultan Abul Hasan c. 1686

This watercolor painting depicts Akanna Pandit, chief scribe to Sultan Abul Hasan, and was made by an anonymous artist in India, sometime in the late 17th century. The image presents Akanna in a formal pose, indicative of his high status within the Sultan’s court. Visual cues like his elaborate turban, jewelry, and the richly patterned shawl draped across his shoulders signify his rank and wealth. The meticulous detail in the rendering of his garments and the ornate border of the painting reflect the sophisticated artistic traditions flourishing under Sultan Abul Hasan's patronage. The cultural context of the Sultanate period in India, with its fusion of Persian, Central Asian, and indigenous traditions, shaped the artistic style and subject matter of this portrait. To truly understand this artwork, we turn to historical records, court documents, and studies of the art of the Deccan region. The value of art lies in its ability to embody and reflect the social and institutional contexts from which it emerges.