A Mughal nobleman. Oudh, c.1770-80. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Numbered 28 in Persian inventory note. Gouache with gold; on an album page with blue border and outer gilt-sprinkled margin. 193 by 138 mm; page 412 by 290 mm. The Mughal nobleman, facing right, stands in a fl...
A Mughal nobleman. Oudh, c.1770-80. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Numbered 21 in Persian inventory note. Drawing with gouache and gold; on an album page with blue border and gilt-sprinkled outer margin. 141 by 63 mm; page 412 by 290 mm. The Mughal nobleman, facing left, stan...
Asaf Khan (d.1641). Mughal, c.1640. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Inscribed at top in Persian: ‘shabih-i asaf jah pidar-i nur jahan begum’ (a likeness of Asaf Jah, father of Nur Jahan Begum); numbered 22 in Persian inventory note. Drawing; gouache and gold added at Lucknow, c....
A Mughal officer. Oudh, c.1770-80. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Numbered 26 in Persian inventory note. Drawing, gouache background; on an album page with gilt-decorated blue border and outer gilt-sprinkled margin. 184 by 109 mm; page 413 by 290 mm. The Mughal officer, facin...
Kurma avatara (the Tortoise) Inscribed above in nagari: Kurma 222 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm Gods and demons churn the ocean with the serpent Vasuki and Mount Mandara. Vishnu is seated above.
Varaha avatar (the Boar). 221 by 154 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Visnu, boar-headed, balances the world on his tusks. Standing in reverence on either side are Garuda, Jambavat, Brahma, Siva and Indra. Hiranyaksha lies conquered in the waters below.
Narasimha avatar (the Man-lion). Inscribed above in nagari:’ Narasimha.’ 222 by 151 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. The lion-headed Visnu emerges from a stone pillar to disembowel the blasphemous Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada stands by with head averted.
Vamana avatar (the Dwarf). 223 by 151 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Visnu in his dwarf form completes the strides which carry him to the upper region where four figures pour the Ganges from water-pots. One of four wrestlers clings to Visnu’s foot, but the other three have fallen beneath. Bali watc...
Rama avatar. Inscribed above in nagari:’ Rama.’ 220 by 153 mm; page 333 by 248 mm. Hanuman stands before Rama who is sitting on a hillock with Sita and Lakshmana.
Bhairavi Ragini. By Fath Chand, Mughal, c.1760. Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807. Inscribed beneath in Persian: ‘‘amal-i rai fath chand’ (the work of Rai Fath Chand); numbered 12 in Persian inventory note; on reverse: ‘bhairavi.’ Gouache with gold; oval with blue spandrels decorat...