An erotic Siyah Qalam painting, possibly of Shah Shuja and his beloved, Circa 1640, Mughal Period;

An erotic Siyah Qalam painting, possibly of Shah Shuja and his beloved
Circa 1640, Mughal Period; India
An album leaf, brush drawing in pigments and gold on wasli paper, laid down on a secondary support, as issued, the red and blue borders illuminated with gold flowers
Image/Sheet: 6.375" H x 5" W
Provenance: The Collection of Walter and Nesta Spink, Ann Arbor, MI, by 1986

Other Notes: Walter and Nesta Spink, both art historians by training, were always fascinated by compositional mysteries of individual works, as well as the worldwide exchange of artistic and cultural ideas. As such, they frequently shared images or descriptions of works in their collection with fellow scholars to understand their potential influences and connections. In this case, they noted that this 17th century Mughal painting, "derived via a print," bore a resemblance to the small painting depicted in the background of Pieter de Hooch's painting of figures in an interior (circa 1663-65) from the Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Furthermore, the Spinks acknowledged that the painting in the background of de Hooch's work is of Adam and Eve after the Fall, but to bridge the connection between the artist that created the print that would subsequently influence de Hooch's painting, Walter Spink enlisted the advice of Dr. David Acton, Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts. David was able to determine that the composition for this lively couple is based on a print from 1598 by the Dutch engraver Bartholomeus Willemsz Dolendo (1571-1626), after a drawing by Bartholomeus Spranger (1546-1611). Further, in David's letter (dated 18 August 1986) responding to Walter's inquiry, he speculates "Now I am wondering whether your painting might suggest the purposeful export of prints by the Dutch to India... I suppose if there is about forty years between the print and the date of your painting, there might have been enough time for these engravings to drift into India." In fact, with the establishment of The Dutch India Company in 1602, there was frequent cultural exchange between the Mughal court and Amsterdam. There are examples of other Indian paintings from this period that show a Western influence in terms of subject, perspective, and composition -- and the same can be seen in the oeuvres of artists such as Rembrandt. This jewel-like work, carefully executed with a fine brush, and using subtle areas of color and gold, is a reminder of the influence India had on the rest of the world (and vice versa) during this period.
Condition Report: Scattered areas of superficial insect damage, with attendant small pigment losses, primarily at the edges and corners, and not affecting the figures. Verso unremarkable. The work is hinged to the back mat with two pieces of hinging tape from the verso of the upper sheet edge.Unframed Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.