This famous Mughal painting made around 1620 features the emperor Jahangir holding a small painting of the Madonna. This image is a small one, surrounded by breathtaking borders made in gold, and embellished with calligraphy. the Madonna was a popular theme explored by Mughal artists, along with other imagery brought to the court by travelling Europeans.

What’s interesting is the layers of looking- the viewer looks at the Mughal emperor, who is in turn gazing upon Madonna. The two are almost in conversation, but Jahangir is significantly larger than the Madonna. The frames, calligraphy and the idea of Darshan- ritual gazing upon deities and rulers- complicate the picture.