Two nobles, gouache heightened with gold on paper, one noble stands, wearing white robes tied with a gold sash and floral patterned turban, listening to the other who stands opposite, (damages to edges, flaking and spotting) - 8 x 5½in. (20.7 x 14cm.); and three ascetics, ink heightened with touches of colour, each sitting on the ground, all bearded and wearing turbans and loose robes, their begging bowls before them, (spotting and wear) - 5½ x 8in. (14 x 20.6cm.), both Mughal, probably Golconda, late 17th century

Details

Two nobles, gouache heightened with gold on paper, one noble stands, wearing white robes tied with a gold sash and floral patterned turban, listening to the other who stands opposite, (damages to edges, flaking and spotting) - 8 x 5½in. (20.7 x 14cm.); and three ascetics, ink heightened with touches of colour, each sitting on the ground, all bearded and wearing turbans and loose robes, their begging bowls before them, (spotting and wear) - 5½ x 8in. (14 x 20.6cm.), both Mughal, probably Golconda, late 17th century
See colour plate 14 for one (2)

Lot Essay

Both paintings have inscriptions in a Dutch hand on the verso which read: 'twee soons van Badurihan(?)' (two sons of Badurihan(?)) and 'fachiers' (fakhirs) respectively. They are probably paintings executed in the late 17th century specifically for the Dutch export market - the tourist trade of that time.
For a more detailed discussion of this genre see: Bulletin van het Rijksmuseeum 44, 1996, no.3, pp.266-70, Pauline Lunsingh Scheurleer: The Witsen Album: 17th century Portraits to order

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