Jamshid Writing on a Rock by Abd as-Samad | Restored Mughal Wall Art

The mythical Persian king Jamshid — having retreated to the wilderness after losing his kingdom — sits among great rocks beside a stream and inscribes his thoughts on the stone face. Around him: courtiers in conversation, attendants picking through wildflowers, a stand of trees rising into a gold sky. Above and below the painted scene, two cartouches of fine Persian Nastaliq verse.

Painted by Abd as-Samad, called Shirin Qalam ("Sweet Pen") — the Iranian master who joined the Mughal atelier under Humayun and Akbar, and one of the founding figures of the Mughal painting tradition. This folio dates from his late Mughal period, ca. 1588.

Restored from the museum archives by aurahliving.com.