DARBAR OF AKBAR II - A painting of a man on a throne surrounded by men

The Delhi Darbar of Akbar Shah II.

Gouache heightened with gold on paper, the nimbate Akbar II in embroidered gold coat sits enthroned, attended by his four sons and four emissaries, all in various brightly coloured garments, some wearing jewelled and stippled gold headresses and finely decorated boots, with a striking background drawn in perspective of a red sandstone hypostyle with opening onto spacious palace courtyard beyond, mounted on card with thin gold, black and orange border, in modern mount, slight flaking around edges, otherwise in very good condition. Miniature 12 x 16in. (30.5 x 40.3cm.); folio 13 x 17¼in. (33 x 43cm.).

This unusual scene combines the familiar grouping of the Emperor Akbar II with his sons and attendants, though he is seated not on the Peacock Throne in Delhi(?), with the background of a grand palace courtyard depicted with a plunging sense of perspective."