Collection Online as of March 23, 2023

A European Couple

attributed to Ali Riza, the "Bodleian Painter"

(Indian)

Drawing with opaque watercolor and gold on paper, gold-flecked blue borders

Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.285

Location

not on view

Description

This painting of a European couple seems to be based on close observation and a desire to record the appearance of foreigners. The artist has accurately depicted the 17th-century European clothing in great detail, particularly in the collar ruffs, linen cuffs, and ornate jewelry worn by both figures.

Provenance

July 10, 1968

(Sotheby’s, London, Western, Oriental and Hebrew Manuscripts and Miniatures, 10 July 1968 sale, lot 15, sold to Ralph Benkaim)

1968-2013

Ralph Benkaim [1914-2001] and Catherine Glynn Benkaim [b. 1946], Beverly Hills, CA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art

2013-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Mace, Sonya Rhie, Mohsen Ashtiany, Catherine Glynn, Pedro Moura Carvalho, Marcus Fraser, and Ruby Lal. Mughal Paintings: Art and Stories: the Cleveland Museum of Art. London: D Giles Limited, 2016. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 48

Exhibition history

Indian Painting Gallery Rotation (242B). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (November 7, 2016-April 10, 2017).

Indian Gallery 242b Rotation – November 2016. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (November 7, 2016-April 10, 2017).