- 56
Noblewomen and children visit a yogi (inspired by a European print of the Presentation in the Temple), India, Mughal, circa 1590-1600, with later repainting
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- gouache on paper
gouache with gold on paper, laid down on an album page with buff borders, surface varnished; verso with a calligraphic panel of shikasteh ta'liq script, buff borders, numbered 38 in Persian on verso
Condition
Some thinning of pigments, creasing, flaking and abrasions in places. Considerable repainting. Surface of recto and verso varnished with associated staining and browning. As viewed.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Like many Mughal works executed late in the reign of Akbar, this interesting and large painting combines elements of Indian and European iconography. The main group of female figures in the centre, wearing Western, classically-inspired robes, are presenting three children to a Sanyasi. The group of women presenting the children is derived from European scenes of the Presentation in the Temple. In this story from the Gospel of St. Luke, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after Christ's birth in order to complete the purification rituals of mother and child. Another early Mughal work inspired by the Presentation in the Temple is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (IM.14&A-1913), and a second one is in the Musée Guimet, Paris (MA 2475). In some European images of The Presentation, Christ is shown as a baby held in the arms of Mary or Joseph and in others he is shown as a small boy standing in front, and others feature both a babe in arms and other small boys being presented. In the present Mughal work we have both a babe in arms and two small boys standing at the front of the group, one of whom is dressed in Indian style in a tasselled girdle bangles, while the front-most female offers a cup filled from the gold bottle in her left hand. In the European versions, the figure to whom Jesus is being presented is a priest in the Temple. In this work the artist has substituted a Sanyasi for the Temple priest, thereby adding the popular Mughal iconography of princesses visiting a yogi to the Christian imagery present here. A further Indian element is the scene along the lower edge of the painting depicting Hindu holy men preparing an intoxicating brew.
The calligraphy on the reverse is in the style of the Ikhtiyar al-Munshi, the secretary to Shah Tahmasp of Persia. Both sides have been varnished some time in the past and the varnish has now browned, giving the page a somewhat stained and discoloured appearance.
With many thanks to Marcus Fraser for his contribution to this entry.