Artwork
Nawab Mir Qasim
Nawab Mir Qasim is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays Nawab Mir Qasim Ali Khan seated on a terrace beside a river, engaged in dialogue with a Hindu official. He is shown in a richly patterned red‑and‑gold costume, holding a staff, while four attendants in white and gold stand or kneel nearby. A low table bearing a hookah, bowl and cup completes the scene, which opens onto a red canopy and a distant vessel.
Subject & Meaning
The composition emphasizes the Nawab’s authority and diplomatic interaction, juxtaposing his regal attire with the modest dress of his companions. The inclusion of a hookah and ceremonial objects suggests a blend of courtly leisure and official business, reflecting the political milieu of Bengal during Mir Qasim’s brief reign in the mid‑18th century.
Technique & Style
Executed in opaque watercolour enriched with gold leaf on paper, the painting displays a vivid palette and intricate patterning. The medium allows for luminous coloration and fine detail in textiles and architectural elements, while the gold accents highlight the figure’s status, aligning the work with courtly portrait traditions of the period.
History & Provenance
The piece entered the museum’s collection without a recorded acquisition source, as noted in the Asia Department registers and the Central Inventory during a provenance research project conducted in 2023. Its origins remain undocumented, though the luxurious materials indicate it was likely commissioned for a high‑ranking patron.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
