The Mughal Emperor Humayun, by the artist Mir 'Ali Khan
Delhi, dated dhu'l-Hijja 1265/October-November 1849, in the 13th regnal year of the Emperor Bahadur Shah IIgouache and gold on paper laid down on card, laid down on an album page with Arabic inscriptions relating to the Emperor and to the artist written in naskhi script in black ink, numbered 7 at top, a second sheet of card hinged to the reverse with a key to the inscriptions in a neat contemporary English hand
portrait 150 x 94 mm.; album page 367 x 275 mm.注脚For similar compositions, by Ghulam 'Ali Khan, with the same date, see the sale in these rooms, Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 15th April 2010, lots 394-396; and for two by Babur 'Ali Khan, again of this date, 24th April 2012, lot 278.

The cartouche above the painting identifies the subject as Humayun, son of Babur. In the cartouche below the painting is given the name of the artist, Mir 'Ali Khan, and the date of the work. The cartouches in the corners contain information about Humayun including his place and date of birth, the length of his life and reign, the date and place of his accession and the place of his burial. In the two large cartouches on either side of the painting are Persian verses giving the dates of his accession and death in the form of abjad chronograms.