Nanak, the First Teacher
Location
Title
Nanak, the First Teacher
Date
About 1800-1810
Materials
Gouache, powdered gold ink, ink
Dimensions
23.8 x 15.5 cm
Credits
Gift of the Sikh Art Collection, Narinder Singh and Satinder Kaur Kapany – Sikh Foundation International (U.S.A.), inv. 2022.56
Collection
Graphic Arts
Early Sikh leaders borrowed Mughal portraiture conventions to emphasize their political lineage and spiritual heritage. Depictions of the first Sikh master, Guru Nanak (1469-1539), were reworked similarly to highlight his leadership qualities. His teachings – in particular the threefold discipline of meditating on the divine name (Nam), alms giving (Dan) and pure living (Ishnan) – were central to Sikh identity, and his portrayal had to reflect both spiritual and political values.
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