Which painter of Jehangir's Court was known for the finest natural paintings and was given the tittle of Nadir-ul-Asr?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

The correct answer is Ustad Mansur. Mughal painting reached its zenith during the reign of Emperor Jehangir (1605–1627), and he had a deep appreciation for minute detail, realism, and naturalism, especially in recording the natural world. Mansur, along with Abul Hasan, was one of the two artists given the highest honorific titles by Jehangir. Mansur specialized in flora and fauna, producing scientifically accurate and stunningly detailed paintings of birds, animals, and flowers that were often brought to the court from various expeditions. For his unparalleled skill in capturing the natural world, Emperor Jehangir bestowed upon him the prestigious title of 'Nadir-ul-Asr', meaning 'Wonder of the Age'. His most famous works include the painting of the Siberian Crane and the Zebra.

The incorrect option is 1:
Abul Hasan was another exceptionally talented painter in Jehangir's court, known for portraiture and court scenes, and was given the title 'Nadir-uz-Zaman' (Wonder of the Time/Age). While highly acclaimed, his specialty was not the finest natural paintings, a distinction held by Mansur.

The incorrect option is 2:
Daulat was a painter in Jehangir’s court known for his proficiency in portraits, especially those featuring other court painters. He was a recognized artist but was not the specialist in natural paintings nor did he receive the title 'Nadir-ul-Asr'.

The incorrect option is 3:
Manohar was a celebrated painter who continued the tradition of portraiture and illustrating court life, having started his career in Akbar's studio. Although important, he did not reach the same level of patronage or receive the imperial title of 'Nadir-ul-Asr' for natural history subjects as Mansur did.