- 1188
A PORTRAIT OF TANSEN
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description
- A PORTRAIT OF TANSEN
- Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
- image: 6 by 3 1/2 in. (15.2 by 9 cm);
- folio: 14 5/8 by 9 3/8 in. (37.1 by 23.8 cm) unframed
Literature
Alice Heeramaneck, Masterpieces of Indian Painting formerly in the Nasli M. Heeramanek Collections, Verona, 1984, cat. 184, p159 and p. 209.
Condition
Good overall condition. Remnants of old paper and glue on salmon pink outer folio border, not seen in catalog illustration. Slight stains on the beige inner folio border, clearly visible in catalog illustration. Crease marks on image most notably on the lower left corner and in a diagonal line running down the figure's skirt at middle center. Repaired tear with some infilling to green ground on middle left edge of image. Repaired tears to paper on lower and middle edge. Both clearly visible in catalog illustration. Exhibited in a temporary frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
A highly detailed and expressive portrait of Tansen, court musician to the Emperor Akbar. He leans on a long slender cane and is dressed in ankle-length white muslin jama and white Akbar-Period cap. This is a naturalistically observed portrait of the famous musician, with his face depicted in detail, not an idealized later one. Trays of jewels on gold platters at his feet emphasizing Tansen's fame as one of the "Nine Jewels" of Akbar's court.
The identification of Tansen is based upon a very similar but somewhat earlier portrait of him in the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Virginia (acc. no. 58.27.20) dateable there to circa 1580. Notably an interesting addition to the present portrait is the placement of two golden trays of jewels depicted at Tansen’s feet, perhaps as a recognition of his great talent.
Refer to Michael Brand and Glenn D. Lowry, Akbar’s India: Art From the Mughal City of Victory, New York, 1985, fig. 55, p. 83, no. 55, p. 150, and Bonnie C. Wade, Imaging Sound: An Ethnomusicological study of Music, Art and Culture in Mughal India, Chicago, 1998, pp.110 -11, fig. 70.