A STANDING PORTRAIT OF A MUGHAL NOBLEMAN IN PINK DRESS
Mughal Provincial School, North India, second half 19th century

Opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, the vertical-format composition depicting a standing portrait of an Indian high-status courtier, most probably inspired by the portraits of Emperor Aurangzeb in his old age or Nawab Ja'far Khan Bahadur, both figures usually portrayed standing in an undefined verdant landscape, in their old age, with a long white beard, holding courtly paraphernalia such as katar daggers and long tulwar swords, the present sitter wearing a ruby and pearl turban ornament (sarpeech), a long string of pearls on his chest, and a pearl and emerald bazuband (armband), set within gold and black rules, and gold-speckled purple borders, mounted, glazed and framed.

36.5cm x 26.5cm including the frame

For a very similar portrait of Nawab Ja'far Khan from the Impey Album, please see the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, acc. no. S1986.435.