Rare Paintings
 25 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Madonna and Child in a Domestic Interior

Painting by Manohar (active ca. 1582–1624)
early 17th century
Mughal

During Akbar’s reign, numerous Christian subjects were copied by Indian artists working from the illustrated Bibles, prints, and paintings that were brought to the Mughal court by Jesui... Read More
 22 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A woman holding a lotus

Lucknow
ca.1815 - ca. 1820
Watercolour

Inscription:
'Gopal Ma'

‘Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusion of traditiona... Read More
 22 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A woman with flowers possibly celebrating the Vasant Panchimi festival

Lucknow
ca.1815 - ca. 1820
Watercolour

Inscription:
'Ponchumee'

‘Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East Indi... Read More
 22 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A dancing-girl

Lucknow
ca.1815 - ca. 1820
Watercolour

Inscription:
'Khutteranee Woman. A natch Girl'

‘Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the East India Company. They represent a fusio... Read More
 22 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A Muslim woman, kneeling on a cot, worshiping.

Lucknow
ca.1815 - ca. 1820
Watercolour

Inscription:
'A Mussulmanee Worshipping. Sijdee Meekoonud'

‘Company paintings' were produced by Indian artists for Europeans living and working in the Indian subcontinent, especially British employees of the... Read More
 16 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
The Beach at Cape Comorin - 1860
by Robert Bruce Foote

Pen-and-ink and wash drawing of the beach at Cape Comorin (Kanniyakumari) by Robert Bruce Foote (1835-1912) in 1860. Inscribed on the front in ink is: 'R.B. Foote delt. 18.9.1860'; on the back: 'View of Cape Comorin, the Kumla Kumari Pagoda,... Read More
 14 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
View of the hill fort, Trichinopoly - 1805
By William Orme

Watercolour

William Orme, who was active from about 1795 to 1819, was born in Manchester and was almost certainly the younger brother of Daniel Orme (also born in Manchester), and older brother of Edward Orme. An early watercolour by hi... Read More
 14 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
'View of part of St. Thorne Street, Fort St. George' - 1805
By William Orme

Watercolour

William Orme, who was active from about 1795 to 1819, was born in Manchester and was almost certainly the younger brother of Daniel Orme (also born in Manchester), and older brother of Edward Orme. An early ... Read More
 5 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
"Dervish With a Lion", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Painting by Padarath
Calligrapher: Sultan 'Ali al-Mashhadi (active late 15th–early 16th century)

Persian Inscription (in lower border, in Shah Jahan’s hand): "Work of Padarath".

During the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan, devotees were fa... Read More
 5 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
"Jahangir and His Vizier, I'timad al-Daula", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Artist: Manohar (active ca. 1582–1624)
Calligrapher: Mir 'Ali Haravi (d. ca. 1550)

While Jahangir (r. 1605–27) and l'timad al-Daula (a title meaning "reliance of the state") greet each other formally in this painting, t... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Deposition from cross with rejoicing angels, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1590-1600.

This painting was probably done for the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r.1605–1627) when he was still a prince living in the 1590s at Lahore, the northern capital of the Mughal empire, now in nort... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Pair of Tibetan Cranes, after a 17th century original by Mansur, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1800.

Text and image credit: Copyright: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Himalayan blue-throated barbet, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, by Mansur, Mughal, first half 17th century.

Marks and inscriptions:

"amal-e nader al-asr Ostad Mansur naqqash Work of Wonder of the Age Ostad Mansur"

Text and image credit: Copyright: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Indian black buck, by Manohar, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1616.

The study of an Indian black buck being led by its keeper was painted by the Mughal court artist Manohar, who signed his work on the green ground at top and bottom of the painting. The posture of the keeper... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A Zebra, by Mansur, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, 1621.

The zebra in this painting was presented to the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) by Mir Ja'far who had acquired it from some Turks who had travelled to India from Africa. Jahangir wrote on the painting (in Persian, the... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
Turkey cock, by Mansur, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Mughal, ca. 1612

The painting of a North American turkey cock done for the Mughal emperor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627) records its arrival at the court in 1612. Jahangir had asked his friend Muqarrab Khan to procure rarities of any kind at... Read More
 2 Dec 2016 Rare Paintings
A Himalayan Cheer Pheasant
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Mughal, ascribed to Mansur
c. 1620

Mansur is famous for his studies of birds, animals and flowers. He began his illustrious career during Akbar’s reign and continued to work in the royal library for Jahangir. He and other artist... Read More
 28 Nov 2016 Rare Paintings
A Thames Wharf - 1757
By Samuel Scott

London began in ancient times as a small settlement next to a crossing point of the Thames, and until the mid-19th century the river was still the main route through which all the trading wealth flowed into the City. The docks were literally the gateway to t... Read More
 22 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
Temple at Shivganga in the Salt Range of the Punjab, now in Pakistan - 1860

Pencil drawing of a temple at Shivganga in the Salt Range of the Punjab, now in Pakistan, by Sir Henry Yule, dated March 1860. The image is inscribed on the front in pencil: 'Ancient Buddhist portion of a Temple at Sheog... Read More
 21 Oct 2016 Rare Paintings
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."
-- Pablo Picasso Read More