Rustam Kicking Aside the Rock, India, Mughal, second half 17th century

Warren Hastings, Governor-General of India (1774-1785)

Messrs. Farebrother Clark and Lye, 22 August 1853, lot 879

Sir Thomas Phillipps Bt.

Phillip and Lionel Robinson

Sotheby’s London 27 November 1968, lot 399

Maggs. Bros. Ltd., London

Here we see Rustam kicking aside a rock that has been rolled down the hill towards him by Bahman. Rustam has been roasting meat on a large skewer which he still holds over the fire in front of him whilst with the other hand he reaches for his club; Bahman stands in the rocks above with his horse, waiting for the rock to hit Rustam. The rocky landscape extends to the horizon sparsely interspersed with trees and buildings.

The nim qalam technique employed by the artist of this painting recalls the European grisaille drawings and engravings that would have been in circulation within the Mughal court at this time.