INSCRIBED HASHIM, MUGHAL INDIA, CIRCA 1710-1720

Details

A PRINCE AND PRINCESS VISITING A HERMIT AT NIGHT
INSCRIBED HASHIM, MUGHAL INDIA, CIRCA 1710-1720
Gouache heightened with gold on paper, the couple with gold-tinted clothing reflecting in the firelight kneel before the hermitage of a sufi who sits before them, a young pupil at his side, set beneath a dark star-filled sky with a crescent moon, laid down on the typical margins illuminated in gold with a floral lattice, reverse with an elegant quatrain in nasta'liq set in floral borders and in similar wide gold illuminated margins with floral lattice, good condition
Painting 8 x 5 3/8in. (20.3 x 13.5cm.); folio 22 x 13¾in. (55.8 x 34.8cm.)

Provenance

The Property of a Gentleman, sold Sotheby's, London, 26 March 1973, lot 21

Brought to you by

Andrew Butler-Wheelhouse

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

abutler-wheelhouse@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2372

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

This leaf comes from the so-called 'Ardeshir Album' probably assembled during the reign of Muhammad Shah (1719-1748). The album was dispersed at auction at Sotheby's in the early 1970s. A number of the paintings in that album showed signs of having been taken from other albums before being remounted as they are now. Many date to the reign of Shah Jahan (r.1628-58). The inscription on our painting carries the name of the artist Hashim who worked under the patronage of Shah Jahan. The rendering of the luxurious gold robes embroidered with flowers which is worn by the prince in our painting is however more typical of the style of the early 18th century. Further pages from this album have sold in these Rooms, 26 April 2012, lot 16 and 4 October 2012, lot 35.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds

View All