Indian Company School, Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Agra, Early 19th Century, Watercolour

Details

Description

An original early 19th-century watercolour painting, Indian Company School, Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Agra.An exquisite Indian Company painting … Read more An original early 19th-century watercolour painting, Indian Company School, Cenotaph of Shah Jahan, Taj Mahal, Agra.An exquisite Indian Company painting showing the cenotaph of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan at the Taj Mahal. The cenotaph is decorated with semi-precious stones inlaid into marble in the pietra dura technique.The cenotaph of Shah Jahan lies alongside that of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (d.1632), for whom Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal. The actual tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal are in a chamber directly beneath their cenotaphs.This painting is a fine example of an Indian Company painting, produced for Western (especially British) patrons in India in the 19th century, many of whom were working for the East India Company. It displays the striking hybrid techniques which led to the categorisation of the ‘Company’ style as a School. While incorporating traditional elements from Rajput and Mughal painting, they were given a more 'western' appearance through their use of perspective and rounded modelling, as opposed to the more decorative, 'flatter' styles that had gone before.On watermarked Brocklesby & Morbey 1828 cream wove paper. Blind stamp to the paper at the upper right corner. Although this blindstamp is illegible, others from the same collection are legible as 'Wynne Bath' around a central crown.Please note that this painting is of a larger size (sheet 18 x 22.5cm) rather than miniature.All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and—if it is a collection artwork—its accompanying collection text or artist biography. Signed: No. Inscribed: Inscribed verso in English in a contemporary hand: 'Tomb of the Imperor Shah jehan in the Taj Mahall at Agra'. Height: 17.5cm (6.9″) Width: 21.6cm (8.5″) Condition: Minor age toning to the paper and light creasing in places. Small mark to upper right margin. Note that the inscription on the verso shows through slightly on the front. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed. See less