A head and shoulders portrait of a nobleman, signed by Sharaf al-Din, India, Mughal, circa 1690-1700

gouache on paper, signature in red 'amal-i Sharaf Din', added border of pink paper decorated with gold scrolling motifs

Formerly in the Hagop Kevorkian Collection, sold in these rooms, 7 April 1975, lot 175
Sotheby's London, 23 April 1997, lot 142

In generally good overall 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.
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."

Full length portraits of courtiers were the norm in the early Mughal period, but by the 1660s large close-up depictions which concentrated solely on the face were becoming fashionable. This was likely due to inspiration by artists such as Hashim (Topsfield and Beach, no.12). Large portraits with even line drawing and wide, heavy-lidded, slightly upturned eyes are characteristic of the late seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century; comparisons with this work include examples in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, and the India Office Library (Bibliothèque Nationale 1986, no.33; Falk and Archer 1981, no.126).