IN AN INDIAN GARDEN: The Carlton Rochell Collection of Company School Paintings
IN AN INDIAN GARDEN: The Carlton Rochell Collection of Company School Paintings
The Tomb of I’timad ud-Daulah at Agra, Company School, Agra, circa 1810-20
Auction Closed
October 27, 10:37 AM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
pen and ink, watercolour heightened with gold on 'J Whatman' watermarked paper
45 by 65.5 cm. (17 ¾ by 25 ¾ in.)
George McFadden, New York
This architectural illustration provides an accurate depiction of the magnificent tomb built by the Mughal queen Nur Jahan for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg (d.1622), and her mother, who died a year later. Born in Iran, Ghiyas Beg moved with his family to India during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar (r.1556-1605). He became an important official of the Mughal Empire and rose through the ranks to serve as prime minister to the Mughal Emperor Jahangir (r.1605-27). He was awarded the title of ‘I’timad ud-Daula’ (Pillar of the State). His daughter Mehr-un-nissa, later known as Nur Jahan, married Jahangir in 1611.
The tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 within a garden on the left bank of the river Yamuna in Agra. Made of marble and profusely inlaid with semi-precious stones in geometric and floral patterns, this was the first Mughal monument to move away from using only red sandstone as observed in earlier Mughal buildings. The design is comparable with the upper story of Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra, with the addition of four towers at the corners.
Other comparable early nineteenth century Company School views of the tomb include a large version dated to circa 1812 which once belonged to Lady Nugent and is now in the British Library. Another is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, inv.no.2011.284. A further example, formerly in the collection of Paul F. Walter, is illustrated in Pal 1989, p.69. no.59. Additional examples are illustrated in Galloway 2011, no.19; Ray 2012, no.74 and Dalrymple 2019, cat.no.82. A similar view of the tomb sold in these rooms, 10 June 2020, lot 160.
The tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 within a garden on the left bank of the river Yamuna in Agra. Made of marble and profusely inlaid with semi-precious stones in geometric and floral patterns, this was the first Mughal monument to move away from using only red sandstone as observed in earlier Mughal buildings. The design is comparable with the upper story of Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra, with the addition of four towers at the corners.
Other comparable early nineteenth century Company School views of the tomb include a large version dated to circa 1812 which once belonged to Lady Nugent and is now in the British Library. Another is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, inv.no.2011.284. A further example, formerly in the collection of Paul F. Walter, is illustrated in Pal 1989, p.69. no.59. Additional examples are illustrated in Galloway 2011, no.19; Ray 2012, no.74 and Dalrymple 2019, cat.no.82. A similar view of the tomb sold in these rooms, 10 June 2020, lot 160.