Johnson 25,9

Nawab Baqir Khan.

By Bulchand, Mughal, c.1630-40.

Richard Johnson Collection. Purchased 1807.

Inscribed at bottom in Persian: ‘shabih-i baqir khan marhum ‘amal-i bulchand’ (a likeness of the late Baqir Khan, the work of Bulchand); inserted in this inscription in a smaller hand is the title ‘Nawab,’ and ‘pidar-i fakhir khan’ (the father of Fakir Khan); numbered ‘55’ in Persian inventory note; on reverse: ‘kar-i ustad’ (the work of the master); another inscription erased; numbered ‘34’ in left margin.

Gouache with gold; on an album leaf with a border of pink-tinted paper lightly decorated with gold; perhaps from the same series of portraits as J.54,6.

233 by 130 mm; page 322 by 208 mm.

Reverse: three ‘baits’ of an Arabic ‘qasidah’ written in ‘nasta‘liq’ calligraphy with illumination; late 16th or early 17th century.

Reproduced: Arnold (1921), pl.11, fig. 8; Arnold and Grohmann (1929), pl.88.

Nawab Baqir Khan, facing right, carries a straight sword and black shield. He is richly dressed in a cyclamen jama and gold trousers with a green turban; plain background.

Note: Baqir Khan, descended from Yar Ahmad of Isfahan, held high offices under Jahangir and Shah Jahan. He died as Governor of Allahabad in 1637. The artist Bulchand is not recorded elsewhere, and although the inscription is authoritative, it could be a misspelling of either Balchand or Mulchand, both more common names. Another portrait of Baqir Khan, based on this or a common original was in the Rothschild Collection (Stchoukine (1929-30), no.X; Falk (1976), no.124).