Opaque Watercolors by Provincial Mughal Court Artists Highlight Bonhams Sale

Muhammad Reza-i-Hindi was one of the celebrated artists of the mid-18th century in the provincial Mughal courts. After he traveled from India to Iran, he added the epithet “Hindi” to his name to indicate his Indian roots. This distinguished him from other local artists. A circa 1760 painting attributed to Muhammad Reza-i-Hindi will feature in this upcoming Bonhams sale. The opaque watercolor painting is mounted on a buff album page with a pink border and golden lines. It depicts a woman clutching a wine flask in one hand and a Venetian glass cup in the other. With a graceful demeanor, she wears a tangerine shawl and white-colored gauze around her waist. 

Another opaque watercolor by provincial Mughal artist Muhammad Faqirullah Khan leads the listings. The illustration from the Ragamala series, Lalita Ragini, has highly intricate details on the painted surface. These include the blue sky dotted with stars at the crack of dawn and a terrace ornamented with a floral carpet. It also shows a man departing from his lover and looking back at her resting figure. Additionally, the auction features a palm leaf folio illustrated on both sides. It depicts scenes from Lavanyavati, a poem composed by the renowned Oriya poet Upendra Bhanja in the 18^th century. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bonhams.