Think like an artist: in early Mughal India

This course takes an in-depth look at the formation of the Mughal atelier between 1520 and 1658 under the dynamic patronage of Emperors Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Drawing on the one hand upon the Persianate Timurid and Safavid schools of the 15th and early 16th centuries, and on the other on Western Indian traditions in Hindu and Jain temple painting, early Mughal painting also assimilated contemporary European influences to produce an innovative and eclectic approach to painting in illustrated manuscripts and albums.
We will look at some of the key works in this oeuvre, and explore how the personality and interests of each patron made their mark on their output. We will consider the work of individual artists and their role in projecting the aspirations of their patrons, and the organization of the imperial workshops in which they worked.

We will cover the early formation and evolution of the Mughal School, the eclectic influences that went into its creation, and the different styles that evolved under the patronage of the early Mughal Emperors. We will look at the role of the artists and their working environment in the Mughal courts, focusing on how they were recruited and trained, and examine the work of some of the key painters.