Though himself illiterate, Akbar laid the foundation of regal patronage for the arts, music, crafts, literature, writing of history, intellectual and theological discourses, the conceiving of which was itself a testimonial to the profound depths of his intellectual comprehension. He never sought his rank, position or personality in any kind of regal grandeur or aura. Till last, he was, after Babur, the simplest Mughal in his lifestyle. And it his this monumental personality that the artist has tried to capture.
The simplicity of Akbar's personal living reigns supreme in this portrait. The artist has softened the colors and lines with a definite motive in mind. Mughal splendor could tempt any one to paint him amidst grandeur, but pursuing the real idiom of Akbar's personality, he has been painted in a simple unjewelled turban, a simple embroidered jama with little use of gold, and an ordinary pair of shoes. Tilted one-fourth to front, his profile shows him in a pensive mood. He is seen holding like a recluse in his right hand a lace of beads as if commemorating the almighty. The portrait is contained within a frame of simple lines, a definite influence from painting during Akbar's reign.
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