Portrait of an Unknown Man,
ca. 1700–1800
Bodycolour with gold on parchment
Sheet dimensions21,4 × 15,1 cm
Place of originIndia
About the workThe portrait shows a member of the court of the Mughal Empire, a state in northern India that was ruled by Muslim emperors for several centuries. The unknown figure is wearing the typical “jama”, a cloak that is tight-fitting on the upper part of the body but flared below like a skirt. Such portraits were sought-after collectors’ items among Europeans up until the nineteenth century and in Indian trading hubs they were often produced specifically for the Dutch, British and French markets.
Accession
Acquired from the Hetjens museum before 1954
ProvenanceErwerbungszeitraum unbekannt; 1954 nachinventarisiert
Inventory numberK 1954-99
