"Diana, Goddess of the Hunt", Folio from the Davis Album 1600 - 1625

"Diana, Goddess of the Hunt" was made by 'Ali Quli Jabbadar, an artist active in the seventeenth century. This folio from the Davis Album offers a glimpse into the cross-cultural dialogues of the Mughal Empire. At first glance, the painting depicts Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, yet her presentation diverges from classical European portrayals. Jabbadar infuses the scene with Mughal aesthetics, blending Western iconography with Eastern artistic traditions. The figure's clothing, jewelry, and the surrounding landscape reflect the Mughal artistic style, which has Persian influences. Diana's softer features also reflect the traditional Mughal standards of beauty. The artwork reflects the Mughal court's interest in, and adaptation of, European imagery. It invites us to consider the complex exchange of ideas and artistic styles that occurred during this period, but also the ways in which identity is creolized, creating new aesthetic forms.