
Painting study · Ink painting
Prince and ascetics, from the Late Shah Jahan Albumc. 1630 · Study 1971.79
Govardhan (Indian, active c.1596–1645)
c. 1630
Recorded as Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper, this vertical work measures 14.3 × 20.3 cm using the museum’s image dimensions. Explore the museum’s context and compare the format with a wall of your choice.
Museum collection reference. This work is not offered for sale by Physical Art For Crypto. Museum attribution does not imply a partnership or endorsement.
Context from the museum
Most paintings in the Late Shah Jahan Album were commissioned specifically for the album, but some older finished works were chosen to be incorporated; they were removed from their original housings and inserted into the new borders. This painting of a Mughal prince visiting a Sufi holy man in his cave dwelling is one example, chosen probably because it underscores the importance of the religious dimension of Mughal life. The conch on the ground before the ascetic is blown at the beginning of prayer, which in the Sufi tradition is often sung to the accompaniment of music. The pair of ducks in the foreground imply the harmonious union of the spiritual and temporal in the Mughal realm. Mendicant Islamic ascetics fill the borders on this page, except for the one noble retainer standing by the prince.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
A detail to notice
The holy man sits under a tree, an ancient Indian place of honor.
Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected image measurement for Prince and ascetics, from the Late Shah Jahan Album is 14.3 cm wide and 20.3 cm high, equivalent to approximately 5.6 × 8.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.70:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.03 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.
On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 4.8% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 142.8 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.
Questions to bring to your own collection
With Prince and ascetics, from the Late Shah Jahan Album in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 14.3 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
- What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?
Explore physical scale
How large would this format feel on your wall?
Use this museum work’s recorded format as a reference. Adjust a blank wall and optional frame allowance to compare proportions. The museum painting is an educational reference and is not for sale here.
Calculation: outside width = recorded width + twice your frame allowance. This is a proportion study, not an installation assessment. It excludes furniture, hardware, load capacity, depth and delivery clearance. The display image may include margins absent from the recorded measurement.
Compare formats with the studio collection
These Lei-Kol works have the closest width-to-height ratios in the current catalog. This is a geometry comparison, not a claim of artistic similarity, equivalent value, or association with the museum artist.
| Painting | Width × height | Format ratio | USD catalog price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Day | 24 × 36 in | 0.67:1 | $1,199 |
| Waterfalls | 24 × 36 in | 0.67:1 | $999 |
| Blood Moon | 30 × 40 in | 0.75:1 | $1,199 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
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