Collection of three hand-coloured prints, British colonial artistic production in India - India - British Raj (1858-1947)






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Country of origin India; a collection of three hand-coloured miniature prints from British colonial Indian art in the Indian Empire period (1858–1947), provenance private collection, framed but not in their original frames, with Jama Masjid of Delhi (15.5 × 22.5 cm), Prince of Wales Edward VII (15 × 16.5 cm) and Emperor of Qajar Nasr-Ed-Din (11 × 17 cm).
Description from the seller
This rare series of three hand-painted prints, datable to around 1880, represents a refined example of the artistic production of the British colonial period in India, which spans from 1858 to 1947. The works, framed but not in their original frames, show excellent detail in both portraits and architectural representation.
The miniature on the right depicts the Prince of Wales, Edward VII, the future British monarch, with particular attention to facial features, color nuances, and the meticulous rendering of his uniform. The miniature on the left is devoted to the sovereign Nasr-Ed-Din, Shah, also executed with great finesse, reflecting the artistic and cultural influence that linked British India to the Qajar world. The third miniature portrays the famous Jama Masjid of New Delhi, the Friday Mosque, a masterpiece of Moghul architecture. In addition to the artistic rendering of the monumental structure, the sheet is embellished with inscriptions in three languages: Arabic and Indian Devanagari (Hindi), along with an English inscription at the bottom of the page that reads “Jama Masjid of Delhi.”
The works stand out for the accuracy of the portrayal of faces, uniforms, and architectural elements, a testament to high-quality miniature painting. The colonial taste permeating the miniatures reflects the artistic climate of the era, where local and Western influences blended. This series of three miniatures provides an interesting historical and artistic testimony of the period, within the tradition of refined Indian miniatures with a clear reference to British influence on the subcontinent.
Dimensions:
Jama Masjid of Delhi, frame, cm 15.5 x 22.5
Prince of Wales, frame, cm 15 x 16.5
Qajar Emperor, frame, cm 11 x 17
This rare series of three hand-painted prints, datable to around 1880, represents a refined example of the artistic production of the British colonial period in India, which spans from 1858 to 1947. The works, framed but not in their original frames, show excellent detail in both portraits and architectural representation.
The miniature on the right depicts the Prince of Wales, Edward VII, the future British monarch, with particular attention to facial features, color nuances, and the meticulous rendering of his uniform. The miniature on the left is devoted to the sovereign Nasr-Ed-Din, Shah, also executed with great finesse, reflecting the artistic and cultural influence that linked British India to the Qajar world. The third miniature portrays the famous Jama Masjid of New Delhi, the Friday Mosque, a masterpiece of Moghul architecture. In addition to the artistic rendering of the monumental structure, the sheet is embellished with inscriptions in three languages: Arabic and Indian Devanagari (Hindi), along with an English inscription at the bottom of the page that reads “Jama Masjid of Delhi.”
The works stand out for the accuracy of the portrayal of faces, uniforms, and architectural elements, a testament to high-quality miniature painting. The colonial taste permeating the miniatures reflects the artistic climate of the era, where local and Western influences blended. This series of three miniatures provides an interesting historical and artistic testimony of the period, within the tradition of refined Indian miniatures with a clear reference to British influence on the subcontinent.
Dimensions:
Jama Masjid of Delhi, frame, cm 15.5 x 22.5
Prince of Wales, frame, cm 15 x 16.5
Qajar Emperor, frame, cm 11 x 17
