This is a very pretty antique Indian watercolour and gouache painting on paper. It probably dates to the late 19th century. It features a couple standing on a rooftop with a canopy or verandah. In the background, we can see a dramatic display of golden fireworks lighting up the sky. The painting possibly depicts some celebrations at Diwali.
A romantic couple are holding each other close and in their "free" hands they hold out a sparkler - this sparks out a fountain of more twinkling golden lights. There is a decorative painted black border with delicate little gold flowers around the main composition. This work is painted directly onto a thin buff-coloured paper (as revealed on the external wash-line border which also has some light golden tone washes of colour).
I have taken lots of images of all the details in this work for you to assess all the tiny details and the quality of the paintwork etc. It looks much better in "real life".
Dimensions: the central composition measures: 22 x 14.5 cm. The painting is sold framed and in good clean vintage condition, ready to hang on your wall.
HISTORY: Mughal painting is a style of painting on paper confined to miniature or small works - which would either serve as a book illustration - or could be kept as single works in albums. The style originated in the territory of the Mughal Empire in South Asia. Scenes of battles, legends, hunting scenes, wildlife subjects, Royal life, and myths were the most favoured subjects.
The paintings often were trimmed back sheets and these were then placed into decorative borders that framed the central image
The Mughal painting style later spread from Persia to regions of northern Inda - and the works became bolder and perhaps a little less refined. These later works are often described as "post-Mughal", "sub-Mughal" or "provincial Mughal".
Figurative subjects often had a standard pose with the head shown in a strict profile and the rest of the body turned toward the viewer. For a long time, portraits were always of men, often accompanied by generalized female servants or concubines.
Postage on this attractive little vintage Indian panting will be capped at £4.95 in the UK and applied to your order at the checkout.