A LADY WITH A DOG, DECCAN, GOLCONDA, CIRCA 1630-50, OR PERSIA, ISFAHAN, SECOND HALF 17TH CENTURY

This painting of an alluring female figure holding a wine bottle and standing with a small dog among stylised gold trees is painted in a hybrid manner that can be attributed to either Golconda in the second quarter of the seventeenth century, or to Isfahan in the second half of the seventeenth century. Many Persian artists migrated to the Deccan in the early seventeenth century where they often retained the styles of their Persian training (Zebrowski 1983, p.13; Leach 1995, vol.II, p.890). In addition Persian works were copied by artists in the Deccan. Thus we find a number of works painted at Golconda around 1630-50 that are very close to Persian works (see, e.g. Haidar 2018, pp.47-48; sale in these rooms 6 April 2011, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, lot 112, now in the David Collection (11/2011).

In the present work, the slender, twisting figure recalls a type that was popular in the Isfahan School in the seventeenth century (for comparable examples see Stchoukine 1964, pls. XXIV, XXVIII, XLI), but, the fluttering shawl and knotted hairstyle, the latter which is akin that of a yogini, indicate that it may have been painted in the Deccan. A related Deccani painting of a female figure, including a similar blue shawl and yogini-style knotted hair, was sold in these rooms 17 June 1999, lot 30, and again in our New York rooms, 23 March 2000, lot 198, while two Persian works featuring a very similar facial style, one of which also has a similar hairstyle, were sold in these rooms 7 April 1975, lots 57 and 62.

A curious and amusing detail here is the fact that the small seated dog is eagerly drinking the wine that spills from the cup held in the lady's right hand.