This study of a Martagon Lily is included in the "Small Clive Album", a volume of Indian paintings which is thought to have been given by Shuja ad-Daula, the Nawab of Avadh, to Lord Clive during his last visit to India in 1765-67. It contains 56 folios on which are Mughal paintings, drawings and flower studies dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. The binding is covered with an Indian brocade. The album was given to the museum by Mr John Goelet in 1956.
Physical description
A martagon lily plant with a cluster of sprouting leaves at the base of the flower stalk is painted in watercolour on a plain off-white paper ground. The flowers are painted in orange with detailing loosely hatched in a red pigment, while the leaves and stalk are painted in a pale green colour similarly detailed in a darker tone of green. The painting is framed with strips of green paper outlined with a narrow strip of gold paper and mounted on a plain ivory-coloured border edged in strips of pale brown paper. A strip of woven textile has been added to the left hand edge to act as a gutter for the album binding. The edges of the page are gilded.
Place of Origin
India (north, made)
Date
first half of the 18th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Opaque watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Height: 35.6 cm page, Width: 23.5 cm page, Height: 20.8 cm central painting, Width: 12.5 cm central painting
Object history note
This painting is part of the Small Clive Album which is thought to have been given by Shuja ud-daula, the Nawab of Avadh, to Lord Clive during his last visit to India in 1765-67. It contains 56 leaves on which are Mughal paintings, drawings and flower studies on both sides. The album is covered with an Indian silk brocade.It was sold from Powis Castle at Sotheby's sale, 16 to 18 January 1956, lot 332A.
Historical context note
This design is ultimately derived from Martagum Pomponeum, plate 15 in Pierre Vallet's Le Jardin du très Chrestien Henri IV', Paris, 1608, see Skelton, R., 'A Decorative Motif in Mughal Art',Aspects of Indian Art, edited by P. Pal, Leiden, 1972, p. 151 and pl. XCb.
Descriptive line
Martagon lily, Small Clive Album, probably Lucknow, 18th century, Mughal.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Skelton, R. 'A Decorative Motif in Mughal Art', Aspects of Indian Art, edited by P.Pal, Leiden, 1972, p.151, , pl. XC1a
Robert Skelton discusses the influence of European engraved illustrations in published herbals on the depiction of flowers in Mughal art and shows how the martagon lily in the Clive Album is an Indian copy of a lily illustrated in a herbal by Pierre Vallet, published in Paris in 1608.
Topsfield, Andrew,The Indian Heritage: Court Life under Mughal Rule, V&A Museum, London, 1982, p.44, ISBN 0906969263.
Topsfield states that the design for the lily was derived from the 'Martagnum Pomponeum' etched as plate 15 in Pierre Vallet's Le Jardin du très Chrestien Henri IV
Exhibition History
The Indian Heritage: Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule (Victoria and Albert Museum 22/08/1982-31/12/2004)
Production Note
possibly made in Avadh
Materials
Paper; Watercolour
Techniques
Painting (image-making)
Subjects depicted
Flowers; Flowers (plants); Martagon lily
Categories
Paintings
Collection code
SSEA
