Artwork Page for Portrait of a man

Details / Information for Portrait of a man

Portrait of a man

c. 1700

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Medium
Gum tempera on paper
Measurements
Overall: 18 x 13.3 cm (7 1/16 x 5 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Cornelia Blakemore Warner Fund 1968.41
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

The subject of this drawing might be a posthumous portrait of the blind king Sital Dev of Mankot (reigned 1630–1660), who died several decades before this drawing was made.

Description

This sensitive portrait survives as a fragment, part of a study for a larger painting. This man’s Mughal tunic, with a katar dagger tucked into the sash, indicates that he is a noble, probably Hindu, because the tunic is tied under the left arm. The gesture of his right hand—just a ghost of an indication—and slightly parted lips suggest that he is making a request. His upright posture reveals an inner strength and dignity despite the affliction to his eyes, which seem no longer able to see.
A vertically oriented gum tempera drawing on aged, tan paper depicts a stout man kneeling in profile. He has a light skin tone and wears a large, wrapped turban and a translucent garment. A dagger is tucked into a sash at his waist. Fine, delicate lines define his facial features and downcast eyes. The paper has irregular, torn edges and dark, mottled stains on the left.

Portrait of a man

c. 1700

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

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