Bichitr | |
|---|---|
.png) Self-portrait of the artist Bichitr, detail from a larger work, ca.1615–20 | |
| Notable work | Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings |
| Style | Mughal |
| Patron(s) | Jahangir and Shah Jahan |
Bichitr (fl. 17th century) was an Indian painter during the Mughal period, patronized by the emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan.[1] The earliest known painting of his is a mature work from c. 1615.
Most of his paintings are formal portraits, and a large number of portraits in the 1630s are credited to him. Stuart Cary Welch, noting that he painted the likeness of nearly every important personage from this period, calls him "the Mughal Van Dyke". He was active until the 1640s at least.[2] Milo C. Beach concludes from Bichitr's clothing in self-portraits that Bichitr was Hindu.[2]
He is known for the European influences seen in his work, which include trompe-l'œil reflections and use of cast shadows, as well as the depiction of putti.
- ^ Goldberg, Maren. "Bichitr: Indian painter". Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ a b Beach, Milo Cleveland (1978). The grand Mogul imperial painting in India,1600-1660. Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Massachusetts. pp. 101–102.