The Iraqi Steed Jugaldan, c. 1720, Bhavani Das, Indian, 12 1/4 x 9 5/8 in. (31.12 x 24.45 cm), Opaque watercolor on paper, India, 18th century, An inscription in Devanagari and Persian script at the top of this rare signed folio reads: 'The horse Jukaldan Ayragi with tenacious face belonging to the realm.' The painting is further inscribed in Persian script in the upper left corner: 'Work of the painter Bhavani Das.' Records show that Bhavani Das was enticed in 1719 from the Mughal court in Agra to work for Maharaja Raj Singh (r. 1706–48) in Kishangarh, where he became the most highly paid of all employees in that state. Similar to a type of animal study popular at the Mughal court, this elegant equine portrait is an early example of the pictorial style favored by the Kishangarh princes. In this depiction of a piebald stallion, Bhavani Das displays the drafting skill and refined attention to the silhouette that made his horse paintings popular.
Keywords:
Iraqi Steed Jugaldan, 1720, Bhavani Das, Indian, Opaque watercolor, paper, India, 18th century, inscription, Devanagari, Persian script, top, rare signed folio reads, horse Jukaldan Ayragi, tenacious face belonging, realm, painting, further inscribed, Persian script, upper left corner, Work, painter Bhavani Das, Records, Bhavani Das, enticed, 1719, Mughal court, Agra, work, Maharaja Raj Singh, r, 1706–48, Kishangarh, highly paid, employees, state, Similar, type, animal study popular, Mughal court, elegant equine portrait, early example, pictorial style favored, Kishangarh princes, depiction, piebald stallion, Bhavani Das displays, drafting skill, refined attention, silhouette, horse paintings popular
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