Portret van Sharza Khan, die in de tijd van Sultan Abdullah als vizier heeft gediend en ook vizier is in de tijd van Abul Hasan c. 1686

This delicate portrait of Sharza Khan was made anonymously with watercolor on paper. The artist has built up layers of translucent paint to capture the textures of Sharza Khan’s clothing, from the soft fur stole to the delicate patterns of his robe. The artist pays close attention to the textile details, likely rendered with a fine brush and a precise hand. The painting is an intimate record of the sitter's status as a vizier, evident in his attire, including a carefully detailed turban. The floral border would have been painted with painstaking detail. The anonymous nature of the artist underscores the social context of production, where the patron's status often overshadowed the maker's identity. This work reminds us that careful looking at materials, making, and context can reveal the full meaning of an artwork, beyond traditional art historical categories.