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Members of the Mughal Court lived lavish and colorful lives as evidenced by the art from this time. While in this scene the women of the court are depicted as entertainers, Mughal wives and concubines were also highly educated scholars, poets, and musicians who had great political influence. The Mughal Empire lasted from 1526-1857, encompassing the entire Indian subcontinent and parts of modern-day Afghanistan. This piece exemplifies artistic traditions from both Islamic and traditional Indian art, from the bright colors and floral border to the angular composition and intricate patterns that cover every inch of the fabric. This work also shows how relationships and marriage in the Mughal empire differed from those in Europe at the time. It was common for high-ranking Mughal men to have many wives and concubines usually referred to as a harem. Here the women of the harem are shown wearing distinctly Indian clothing including saris, ornamental bindis, indicating marriage, and henna dye which was often worn by dancers and musicians to draw attention to the hands.Label Type
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Text by Deryn BullockLabel Type
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Gift of Amb. Thomas M. Foglietta, ’49