Three scenes from an illustrated manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnama, depicting a ruler seated in a pavilion and receiving petitions from noblemen, and watching an execution

sub-Imperial Mughal, circa 1620-30

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Footnotes

Provenance:
George Sheridan Collection formed between the 1950s and 80s.

W .G. Archer used the term 'sub-imperial Mughal' (the term 'popular Mughal' is used by others) in distinguishing certain styles of Mughal painting: namely, between those executed in the royal studios, and others painted in provincial schools away from the court but much influenced by Mughal artists. Sub-imperial Mughal artists worked close to the courts at Delhi and Agra for both Muslim and Hindu patrons.

For comparison see E. Binney, The Mughal and Deccani Schools: Indian Miniature Painting from the Collection of Edwin Binney 3rd., Portland, Oregon 1973, pp. 57-64, pls. 39a & b. (The Binney Collection is now in the San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California).
Sotheby's, Oriental Manuscripts: Indian and Persian Miniatures from the Collection of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt., London, 27th November 1974, lots 685 & 789.

George Sheridan (1923-2008) was one of the founding members of the artistic community of Deià in the Balearic island of Mallorca, among such illustrious residents as the poet Robert Graves. His painting style reflects the colour and rugged beauty of his adopted home in Spain, having spent many years working as an artist in London and Paris after leaving his native America. His influences included the art of India and the Himalayas ,which he collected avidly and whose themes he incorporated into his work. He frequented Spink and Son whenever he was in London, becoming close friends with the legendary head of the Indian and Southeast Asian department, Anthony Gardiner, from whom he bought regularly. When in Paris he would buy from the leading dealers of the day, Jean-Claude Moreau-Gobard and Josette Schulmann. His eye for Asian art extended from the Buddhist sculpture of Gandhara, Nepal and Tibet,through classical Indian sculpture to the magical world of Indian miniatures.