Description

The emperor Farrukhsiyar (r. 1713–1719) is depicted standing in profile upon a palace terrace, holding a jeweled sword and a flywhisk, his head encircled by a luminous halo denoting imperial authority. He wears an elaborately patterned jama secured with a jeweled sash and an ornate turban adorned with pearls and an aigrette, while the restrained palette, delicate modeling, and precise draftsmanship reflect the refinement of nineteenth-century Jodhpur painting. The figure is set against a flat, pale ground that heightens his silhouette, while the terrace is defined by a low parapet rendered with fine linear perspective and edged with a narrow band of gold. The composition derives from an established Mughal imperial portrait type known through numerous eighteenth-century versions, including examples in the British Library and paintings formerly sold by Sotheby’s, Bonhams, and Christie’s, all of which preserve the essential iconography of the emperor in formal courtly pose while differing in costume, attributes, and setting.

Produced more than a century after Farrukhsiyar’s reign, the present painting demonstrates the enduring prestige of Mughal imperial imagery within Rajput ateliers. Rather than functioning as a direct copy, it represents a thoughtful reinterpretation of an established imperial prototype, adapted to the aesthetic preferences of nineteenth-century Jodhpur. By this period, Farrukhsiyar’s reign had acquired broader historical significance owing to the 1717 imperial farman granting expanded commercial privileges to the English East India Company, an act widely regarded as an important milestone in the growth of British influence in India. Through the continued preservation and reinterpretation of imperial portrait types, Rajput artists transformed Mughal court portraiture into a vehicle of historical memory, ensuring that the likeness of an emperor associated with a pivotal chapter in South Asian history remained culturally resonant long after the decline of Mughal political authority.

Condition

Trimmed to the painted border. Minor wear and rubbing to the pigments, with scattered abrasions, areas of surface soiling, and age-related handling wear. Overall in good condition, retaining strong color and well-preserved gold detailing.

Provenance

Private Collection, Hawaii.

Private Collection,New York, acquired from the above in the 2000s.

References

Beach, Milo C. Mughal and Rajput Painting. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992..

Bonhams. The Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar Standing on a Palace Terrace Holding a Jewelled Sword and a Flywhisk. Deccan, first half of the eighteenth century. Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art sale, London, 24 April 2012, lot 123.

Chandra, Pramod. The Court Painters of the Grand Mughals. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1975.

Sotheby’s. Indian and Southeast Asian Works of Art. New York, 21 March 2012, lot 222, Portrait of Emperor Farrukhsiyar, ca. 1713–1719.

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