A STANDING PORTRAIT OF AN AFRICAN COURTIER

Deccan, Central India, 19th century

Opaque pigments on paper, the vertical composition depicting a white-clad standing courtier with pearl earrings facing his right, wearing an intricate white turban, holding a long tulwar (sword) in red scabbard with both hands, an encrusted push dagger tucked into his embroidered belt, the scene framed within red, yellow and green rules, 30cm x 15.6cm.

The composition and subject of this painting share a number of features with the well-known 17th-century portrait of Malik Ambar of Ahmednagar painted by Hashim (Victoria and Albert Museum collection, inv. no. IM.21-1925). The Ethiopian-born slave, originally named Chapu, made a quick career ascent shortly after his arrival in India, first as soldier, then as commander of the Nizam Shahi army and lastly, as Regent of the Ahmednagar Kingdom from 1600 until his death in 1626. Our painting is likely to have been inspired by portraits of Malik Ambar produced in the 17^th century. Among the most recurrent features in his portraits, one can notice the white muslin shirt tight on the plump belly; the long tulwar in a red scabbard; the white turban; the red shoes, and the ornate belt worn on the low waist, all elements that appear in our painting as well.