BY AHMAD, INDIA, BIKANER, DATED VS 1855/1798 AD

Details

A European jester
By Ahmad, India, Bikaner, dated VS 1855/1798 AD
The jester in the appearance of a pundit, seated at a marble window, wearing a voluminous dhoti and gold-printed blue kurta with epaulettes and elaborate peacock crown, holding a devanagari manuscript, his light-skinned face with pursed lips and heavy-lidded eyes, light blue ground, oval surround, pink spandrels, white border, full red margin with yellow inner and white outer rules, yellow outer border, the reverse with devanagri inscription and ownership stamps
Opaque pigments and gold on paper
7 5/8 x 5 1/8 in. (19.5 x 13 cm.), painting
3¾ x 2 7/8 in. (9.4 x 7.4 cm.), folio

Provenance

Royal Collection of Bikaner (no. 3723), before 1 June 1964

Engraved

The inscription on the reverse in devanagri reads
sabi pharang krsna maharaj Muhammad ro nazar Ahmad ro samvat 1855 (Portrait of Krishna as foreigner (European influence) presented to Muhammad by artist Ahmad in 1798 AD)

Special Notice

Lots which are Art Treasures under the Art and Antiquities Act 1972 cannot be exported outside India. Please note that lots are marked as a convenience to you and we shall not be liable for any errors in, or failure to, mark any lot.

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Umah Jacob

ujacob@christies.com +91 22 2280 7905

Lot Essay

The subject of this painting clearly comes from a European print. But, as with the figure in the following lot, the jester has been adorned with a sarpech and complete Indian jewellery, not entirely appropriate to his real standing. The identification written on the reverse, that this was intended to depict Krishna, even when disguised as a European, seems improbable.

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