A Royal Picnic on a Terrace

Description

A richly patterned carpet spans the width of the composition and forms the setting for a royal visit. The status of the highest-ranking person is indicated by the tan cloth placed over the carpet and the voluminous wine-colored cushion ornamented with stylized gold clouds. An attendant holding an emblem of Indian royalty, the fly whisk, stands to one side.

At the far right of the carpet are two books, indicating that they are learned men. Like the carpet, the book covers have central medallions and borders, in line with the Persian aesthetic that the Mughals of India held in high regard.

Provenance

(Imre Schweiger, London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?–1920); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1920–)

A Royal Picnic on a Terrace

Muhammad Ali

c. 1620

Accession Number

1920.1966

Medium

Gum tempera and gold on paper

Dimensions

Overall: 23.4 x 14.6 cm (9 3/16 x 5 3/4 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of J. H. Wade