NURPUR, NORTH INDIA, 1770-80

The arrangement of figures seated on a terrace, one turning backwards to talk, whilst listening to music was a recurring one of Nurpur painting in the mid-18^th century (see Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, London, 1976, Nurpur 30, 32, and 73). Unlike earlier Nurpur paintings, the present lot does have the typically elongated figures associated with the school. Instead we see greater influence of the neighbouring Guler school which became particularly strong in the second half of the 18^th century. For a small state it was Nurpur’s location at the mouth of the Kangra valley that gave it importance allowing for painting to flourish in the 18^th century. Also exhibited in the present lot is the distinctive handling of trees, something Archer labels as “unusual” (op.cit., p.385).

Similar Nurpur paintings have been sold at Christie’s New York, 20 March 2012, lot 295 and in these Rooms, 23 September 2005, lot 69.