Unknown Maker, Indian

There is a common misconception that figural representation, and especially nudity, is not allowed in Islamic art. Produced in India during the Mughal Empire (1526-1857), this painting contradicts that notion and serves as a reminder that art reflects the desires of patrons across different regions and eras. Artistic conventions such as almond-shaped eyes and supple, nude bodies adorned in gold, pearls, and rubies reference South Asian ideals of beauty and natural resources. As seen in the painting to the left with the pre-Islamic hero Rustam, Central and South Asian cultures significantly influenced Islamic painting traditions. Mughal patronage enabled skilled artists throughout the empire’s territories to work together to produce realistic muraqqa, or picture albums.