Jahangir with his ladies under a Canopy on a garden terrace, India, Mughal, circa 1620-40

Ink and gouache heightened with gold, depicting Jahangir leaning against a bolster under a canopy surrounded by attendants and musicians, inner borders of blue, red and gold, plain outer margins, the reverse with a Persian quatrain signed by Muhammad Mu'min, dated 1037 AH/1627 AD, against a gold ground sprinkled with polychrome flowers with scrolling foliate borders, a circular ownership seal in the lower margin

In good overall condition, some occasional wormholes with associated repair, particularly to reverse, colours good and gold bright, calligraphy on reverse bold, 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."

This fine Mughal painting is executed in a style associated with the later years of Jahangir's reign and the early years of reign of Shah Jahan's. The emperor Jahangir is shown seated against cushions under a white canopy. He is surrounded by female attendants and musicians, including one, standing behind him, wearing a male turban. In the background is a pavilion and a tree with a drooping vine, with a pair of coloured songbirds amongst the branches, a peacock and a peahen perched nearby. In the foreground are two cats, one wearing a gold collar. The miniature is suffused with a sense of romance that is underlined by several of these specific elements. The human scene has a languid, rather amatory feel to it, and the cross-dressing princess adds a further element of licentiousness. The inclusion of pairs of animals and birds is no doubt intentional- the peacock and peahen, the two colourful songbirds and the two cats underlining the romantic theme.

The quality of miniature is exceptional. Not only is the painting of high quality, but the artist has texturized the surface of the miniature in several ways. Close examination reveals that all the goldwork, including cups, a tray, a small box, headresses and textile edging, is pricked with a sharp point. Furthermore, the buff-coloured mat in the foreground, upon which sits the black cat, is very carefully indented with a herringbone pattern. Finally, the lower edge of the white mat upon which Jahangir sits is also indented, this time with a floral motif. This is work of the highest quality, both in intention and execution.

Close examination also reveals that the head of Jahangir has been overpainted at a later date, indicating either that the face of the central male figure became damaged and needed re-touching, or that the identity of the central male figure was changed. If the latter scenario is the case, then it is possible that the original male figure was a Mughal prince, perhaps of the period of Shah Jahan, such as Dara Shikoh or Shah Shuja. A romantic scene of Shah Shuja with a female companion (probably his bride, the daughter of Mirza Rustam Safavi) under a canopy on a terrace, attributed to Balchand circa 1633, is rendered in a similar romantic vein to the present work (see Welch 1978, no.35; Smart 1991, fig.9, p.141). Nevertheless, a well-known painting of Jahangir Playing Holi by Govardhan of circa 1615-25 shows him in a similarly romantic situation to the present miniature (Minto Album, Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, see Okada 1991, fig.226). Thus it remains more likely that it was Jahangir in the original composition.