A SERIES OF SIX PORTRAITS OF ENTHRONED MUGHAL EMPERORS
Provincial Mughal School, possibly Hyderabad, Deccan, Central India, mid to late 19th century

Opaque pigments, ink, and whitewash heightened with gold on paper, the six vertical compositions depicting Mughal Emperors seated on their different thrones (square, hexagonal and high chair) under a caparisoned golden parasol set on a palatial terrace, each Emperor characterised by particular features, like a goshawk, a book or a rosary necklace, and assisted by a standing male attendant, each painting laid down on light buff paper borders, and backed with dark brown Hessian canvas, each approximately 23cm x 18cm.

For a similar, though earlier, composition depicting the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, please see Bonhams London, 5 April 2011. This style of commemorative paintings of enthroned rulers of the Mughal dynasty is usually associated with the revival of Mughal court painting spearheaded by Aurangzeb's successors. Whilst the first creations in the 18th and early 19th centuries still retained a degree of finesse and aimed to mirror the draughtsmanship quality of early Mughal royal portraits, by the late 19th century the style of these commemorative portraits had become more static and caricaturesque. For an interesting comparison, please see, Francesca Galloway catalogue, Ivory and Painting: Indian Goods for the Luxury Markets, 2011, pp. 58 - 59, fig. 18.