Śivadāsa

Śivadāsa was a 16th-17th century Indian painter belonging to the Mughal school of art. He is primarily known for his illustrations in the Hamzanama, a monumental series of paintings commissioned by Emperor Akbar. While details about his life are scarce, his distinctive style is recognizable within the Hamzanama and other contemporary Mughal painting. His work is characterized by a dynamic composition, vibrant colors, and a detailed rendering of figures and landscapes. Some scholars attribute a significant number of folios within the Hamzanama to Śivadāsa, citing stylistic consistency in the rendering of facial features, costumes, and architectural elements. His contributions helped to shape the development of Mughal painting during this crucial formative period.