Painting study · Tempera
Shamsa (sunburst) with portrait of Aurangzeb (1618–1707), from the Emperor's Album (the Kevorkian Album)illumination 1640–55; original portrait c. 1640–50; altered after 1658 · Study 2013.331
Bichitr (Indian, active c. 1615–50)
illumination 1640–55; original portrait c. 1640–50; altered after 1658
Recorded as Gum tempera and gold on paper, this vertical work measures 23.2 × 35.5 cm using the museum’s painting only 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
This closing page of an imperial Mughal album originally had the shamsa , or sunburst, with a plain gold disc in the center, referencing the light of God as divine sanction for Emperor Shah Jahan’s rule. The depiction of divine light by means of floral and geometric patterns was painted by hand with mathematical precision in gold and lapis lazuli. The portrait of Aurangzeb was probably added when he took over the imperial library after seizing the throne from his father, Shah Jahan, in 1658 and adopting the name Alamgir, which means “Seizer of the Universe.” The string of prayer beads in his right hand points to his extreme religious orthodoxy, which dramatically altered the culture of the Mughal court from what had previously been an openly ecumenical center.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
A detail to notice
Tooling the gold cloud motif with pinpricks makes it catch more light and shimmer.
Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected painting only measurement for Shamsa (sunburst) with portrait of Aurangzeb (1618–1707), from the Emperor's Album (the Kevorkian Album) is 23.2 cm wide and 35.5 cm high, equivalent to approximately 9.1 × 14.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.65:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.08 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 7.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 138.4 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 Shamsa (sunburst) with portrait of Aurangzeb (1618–1707), from the Emperor's Album (the Kevorkian 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 and gold on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 23.2 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 |
| Graffiti | 30 × 48 in | 0.63:1 | $2,199 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
Related studies
probably 1619 · Mughal India, Court of Jahangir (reigned 1605 - 27), possibly Lahore
Portrait of Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur (reigned 1618–46)
Bichitr (Indian, active c. 1615–50) · Gum tempera and gold on paper
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