- 15
A standing portrait of a courtier, probably Raja Man Singh of Amber, attributable to Bishandas, Mughal, circa 1595-1600
Description
- Gouache and ink on paper
Provenance
Rt. Hon. Leopold Amery, C.H., P.C., London (1873-1955)
Rt. Hon. Baron Amery of Lustleigh, P.C., London (1919-96)
Acquired in 1997
Condition
"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
Bishandas, the nephew of the painter Nanha, began his career under Akbar around 1589-90, contributing to the Baburnama (Victoria and Albert Museum, IM.276,276a-1913, the well-known double page illustration of Babur supervising the laying out of the Bagh-e Wafa ('Garden of Fidelity'), see Stronge 2002, pp.90-91, pl.59). He quickly became respected for his skills as a portraitist and in 1600 moved with Prince Salim to Allahabad, continuing in his employ after Salim succeeded to the throne as Emperor Jahangir (r.1605-27). He was one of only five artists to receive a mention in the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri (translated by Rogers, 1909 (reprint 1989), vol.II, pp.116-7), where Jahangir writes that he was "unequalled in his age for taking likenesses". He was selected by Jahangir to travel with his embassy to Shah Abbas of Persia in 1613 in order to take likenesses of the Shah and his court. He continued painiting for Shah Jahan (r.1627-58), his career coming to an end around 1640. For further discussion of Bishandas and examples of his work see Beach 1978, pp.107-111; Das in Das et al. 1998, pp.112-133; Leach 1995, vol.II, pp.1100-1101; Okada 1992, pp.154-163; Das in Beach, Fischer and Goswamy 2011, pp.259-278. For a portrait by Bishandas of Suraj Singh Rathor of circa 1590 see Welch et al. 1987, p.140, no.28; Okada 1992, p.157, fig.189.