A Procession Scene with Musicians, from a copy of the Padshanama c. 1650

This is a Mughal-era painting, a copy of the Padshahnama, made with opaque watercolor on paper. The visual impact comes from the painstaking process of its creation, which involved grinding pigments from minerals, plants, and even insects into a binder to create the paints. The result is a highly detailed, carefully composed scene depicting a royal procession with musicians. Look closely, and you’ll notice the meticulous work that went into rendering each figure, each face, each piece of clothing. The painting’s surface is smooth and refined, showing no evidence of brushstrokes. This suggests that the artist used fine brushes and a delicate touch to build up the image in layers. The social context of this work is also important. Mughal paintings were often commissioned by wealthy patrons to document their lives and accomplishments. The creation of such works was a collaborative effort, involving skilled artisans who specialized in different aspects of the process, from preparing the paper to applying the gold leaf. This painting is a testament to the rich artistic traditions of the Mughal Empire and the importance of craftsmanship in creating works of lasting beauty and cultural significance.