A GATHERING OF DERVISHES

MUGHAL INDIA, 18TH CENTURY

Details

A GATHERING OF DERVISHES
MUGHAL INDIA, 18TH CENTURY
Pencil on paper, the assembly of grotesque figures seen sitting, dancing or playing music, a later inscription in black nasta'liq script in a green foliated cartouche above, in gilt and white rule, laid down on brown card, the reverse with a nasta'liq quatrain on gold ground, in pink borders, with gilt, black, red and blue rules
Drawing 7 5/8 x 11 3/8in. (19.5 x 28.8cm.); page 11 3/8 x 16 ½in. (28.8 x 42cm.)

Lot Essay

Although the subject of dervishes in assembly is not rare, the grotesque figures in the present painting are worth noticing. All Sufis are drawn with accented traits, especially the group shown in the background and the three figures to the right. It recalls a Rajput painting attributed to Mewar and dated circa 1760 which directly derives from a Flemish work illustrating the popular saying “the world feed many fools”. The painting sold at Christie’s New York, 20 March 2012, lot 221. Depictions of grotesques figures were popular in Europe and made their way to India where they were incorporated into the local imagery.

For another painting with similar theme, see lot 40.

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