A FAKIR ON A BED ON NAILS, PAINTED FOR JONATHAN DUNCAN (1756-1811), GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY, COMPANY SCHOOL, BENARES, CIRCA 1790-1795, AND AN ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN DOCUMENT FROM THE PATRON

Watercolour on European paper, inscribed in pencil at lower left "Hindoo penitent", and at lower centre "drawn from life"; and an original handwritten document by Jonathan Duncan in English, on British paper watermarked "GR" (George Rex - King George III); and a print by J. Chapman of this image, plus two others of fakirs, published by J. Wilkes, London, September 1, 1809.

Jonathan Duncan (1756-1811), Resident at Benares and Governor of Bombay

Room for Wonder, Indian Painting during the British Period 1760-1880, The American Federation of Arts, New York, 1978
Sahibs, Memsahibs and Maharajas: Indian Art Under British Rule 1765-1880, Harvard Art Museums, 1989

Welch 1978,  no.32b, p.80

In good condition. 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.
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This striking watercolour shows an Indian fakir lying on a bed of nails or thorn couch (kantaka-sayya). It was commissioned by an Englishman, Jonathan Duncan, who arrived in India in 1772, served as Resident at Benares from 1788 to 1795, and then as Governor of Bombay. He died in that city in 1811. In an inscription on the lower edge he mentions that this work was drawn from life, and we are fortunate to have an original handwritten account by Duncan describing this painting and that of another fakir, entitled " An Account of the Two Fakirs with their Portraits, by Jonathan Duncan Esq". . (For an illustration of the second work and a transcription of the complete text of the letter, see Welch 1978, no.32a, p.81):

"The penance of the second Faquir is that of reclining on a bed of iron spikes. His travels were also very extensive; carried, as we suppose, by his disciples."

The existence of a print of the present image (and two others, including the second image of a fakir commissioned by Duncan) on a page printed in London in 1809 adds a further level of interest, since it implies that the two paintings executed for Jonathan Duncan were disseminated in London in the ten years between their production and Duncan's death in Bombay, and used as the basis for a print.

Duncan was particularly fond of Benares and was popular among the locals, so much so that being referred to as "Duncan Sahib's younger brother" became a well-known compliment (Welch 1978, p.81).