ATTRIBUTED TO SHEIKH MUHAMMAD AMIR OF KARRAYA, CALCUTTA, MID-19TH CENTURY

Muhammad Amir was an influential artist working for the British in Calcutta during the second quarter of the 19th Century. Working at a time of great prosperity, he proffered his talent like a tradesperson, touring Calcutta in search of individual commissions. He delighted his patrons with paintings of their houses, carriages, horses and servants. One of his best clients was the businessman, Thomas Holroyd, for whom he painted many such scenes. The albums executed for Holroyd were presented to the Oriental Club in 1839 and are now dispersed in public and private collections.
The style and high degree of finish evident in the present watercolour are typical of Muhammad Amir, but subject matter is less common than the horses, grooms and paddocks for which he is best known, making it possible that the signature was later added (See S. C. Welch, Room For Wonder: Indian Painting during the British Period 1760-1880, New York, 1978, p. 71, no. 23). Another painting signed by the artist which depicts a juggler with his dancing bear, monkey and goa was sold in these Rooms, 22 May 2008, lot 67.