Largest known Mughal painting to be auctioned

A painting portraying Jahangir is to be put for auction at Bonhams in April.

London: The largest known Mughal painting portraying Emperor Jahangir seated on a gold decorated throne is to be put for auction at Bonhams in April for an estimated base price of one million pound.

The painting of Jahangir, who ruled India between 1605 and 1627, is in the style of a European portrait of the early 17th century. The 17th century portrait, which will lead a sale of works of Indian and Islamic art, is attributed to Mughal artist Abul Hasan, Nadir al-Zaman or "Wonder of the Age". Previously shown in the National Portrait Gallery in an exhibition on the Indian Portrait in 2010, the Emperor is shown seated on a gold decorated throne holding a globe, wearing elaborate robes and jewellery. The surrounding Persian inscription states it was painted at Mandu in the AH1026/AD1617. Alice Bailey, Head of Indian and Islamic Art at Bonhams, said: "This is one of the rarest and most desirable 17th century paintings ever to come to auction. There is no other work of its kind known and its importance cannot be underestimated. The extraordinary detail and complexity of the painting both fascinate and bewitch the viewer." PTI