"Dancing Dervishes", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album 1505 - 1635

"Dancing Dervishes", a folio from the Shah Jahan Album, depicts a scene of whirling dervishes, a mystical Sufi practice. The artwork is attributed to the Safavid painter Mir 'Ali Haravi, known for his detailed and expressive figures. Created between 1505 and 1635, the painting features a central panel of dervishes in a trance-like state, surrounded by a vibrant floral border in gold and blue. The use of fine lines, rich colors, and intricate details is characteristic of the Safavid art style, which blended Persian and Islamic artistic traditions. This folio is an excellent example of the artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire, capturing the elegance and spiritual devotion of Sufi practices.