Artwork Description
The Empresses- H10-2 Nūr Jahān Pop Street Artwork Limited Edition Giclee & Giltter Screenprint Print on Aluminum Sheet by Urban Graffiti Modern Artist Damien Hirst.
2022 Signed & Numbered In Verso on Label Limited Edition of 3041 Artwork Size 39.37x39.37 Giclee & Giltter Screenprint Print on Aluminum Sheet
Decoding the Vivacity of 'The Empresses - H10-2 Nūr Jahān'
Drawing inspiration from the multifaceted Mughal empress, Nūr Jahān (1577-1645), the artwork embodies her diverse talents and influence. Though she became Emperor Jahāngīr's 20th wife in 1611, she was never officially an empress. Despite this, Nūr Jahān demonstrated her power by minting coins and issuing royal decrees. Adept in diplomacy, hunting, and advising, she was also a gifted architect. Her design contributions to her parents' tomb in Agra are thought to have inspired the iconic Taj Mahal. The "Nūr Jahān" piece showcases intricately symmetrical patterns of single and paired wings in vivid shades of red and black. These wings radiate from the center, extending vertically, horizontally, and diagonally to form mesmerizing kaleidoscopic designs. The central square highlights the principal pair of wings, while the surrounding patterns seem to recede, drawing the viewer's attention to the center. This meticulous, layered composition echoes Nūr Jahān's architectural prowess, and the magnificent mosaic tiles grace the Agra tomb. As one contemplates "Nūr Jahān," the artwork transforms continuously, unveiling new sequences of extraordinary wing patterns as the viewer's perspective shifts. This is especially evident with the large black and red wing pairs that encircle the composition's outer edges, arranged in an irregular frame. Through this technique, the artist instills a sense of dynamism and life in the otherwise orderly composition, capturing the essence of the butterflies in various stages of flight, much like the diverse nature of the empress herself. In street pop art, Damien Hirst's 'The Empresses - H10-2 Nūr Jahān' stands as a riveting homage to the influential and unofficial empress of the Mughal empire. This giclee and glitter screenprint on aluminum captures the essence of Nūr Jahān's multifaceted life, depicting the vibrancy and depth of her character through a symphony of red and black butterfly wings. Born as the urban graffiti modern artist Damien Hirst, the British artist's creation is a limited edition piece, signed and numbered as a testament to its exclusivity and importance in contemporary art.
The Artistic Symphony of Wings and Influence
The artwork's composition, featuring meticulously arranged butterfly wings, is a testament to Nūr Jahān's architectural acumen and her role in shaping Mughal aesthetics. The central square structure, highlighted by the principal pair of wings, draws the viewer's gaze inward, like the entrance to an intricately designed Mughal structure. The wings, extending in all directions, create an effect of perpetual motion, symbolizing Nūr Jahān's dynamic presence in a male-dominated court. The choice of colors, red and black, is striking and purposeful, evoking the power and determination that Nūr Jahān wielded as she navigated the intricacies of Mughal politics and culture. The layered patterns that recede from the center mimic the complexity and depth of Nūr Jahān's influence on Mughal architecture, such as the exquisite tile work of her parents' tomb in Agra. It is a visual narrative that mirrors the empress's life – a constant oscillation between the foreground and the background, between being seen and unseen, much like the varying visibility of the butterfly wings, depending on the viewer's standpoint.
A Dynamic Reflection of a Multifaceted Empress
Damien Hirst's 'The Empresses - H10-2 Nūr Jahān' is an artistic endeavor and an immersive experience. The artwork unfolds new patterns as the viewer moves, reflecting the ever-changing nature of existence and perception. This transformative aspect of the piece resonates with the transformative era of Nūr Jahān's influence, where she redefined the role of women in leadership and left an indelible mark on her time's cultural and architectural landscape. The outer edges of the composition, with the large wing pairs arranged in an irregular frame, impart a sense of vitality and movement, much like the empress known for her hunting prowess and diplomatic skills. This technique employed by Hirst infuses life into the structured composition, creating a sense of multidirectional flight and reflecting the empress's omnipresence in the various facets of Mughal governance and culture. Through this limited edition street pop art and graffiti artwork, Damien Hirst encapsulates the spirit of Nūr Jahān, presenting her not merely as a historical figure but as an emblem of power, creativity, and resilience. The piece stands as a modern tribute to her life, inspiring contemporary viewers to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of history through the lens of street pop art.
