Spring Exhibition 2022, New York

Prahlad Bubbar is delighted to return to New York for this much anticipated show at the Jill Newhouse Gallery in New York’s Upper East Side. We will present a series of masterpieces highlighting the great accomplishments across the sub-continent from the 16^th to the 19^th centuries.

Among the treasures in our presentation is a late 16^th century leaf by the artist Kanhar from the third known manuscript of the historical three-volume Akbar Nama (Book of Akbar), commissioned by the third Mughal Emperor Akbar. In a vivid but soft chromatic of opaque pigments and gold, it shows Qaracha Khan being brought before His Paradise-Dwelling Highness Humayun. We will also show an enchanting 17th century painting of the Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh that portrays him in splendid tranquility, seated cross-legged within an oval frame, his head encircled by a gold nimbus. This is a powerful and iconic image of the prince-mystic, whose efforts to create a synthesis between mystical Islam and Hinduism are reflected in his ascetic pose with yogic associations. An early 17^th century painting of a vulture ascribed to the Imperial Mughal Artist Mansur, Nadir al Asr is drawn with great naturalism and harmonious shape; it also displays a masterful attention to the rendition of form and texture.

For this exciting exhibition, we will also bring to New York an exquisite 17^th century brushed drawing on paper, ‘Inhabited Arabesque’, from Bijapur, Deccan, an intricate design of a floral arabesque, where fine stems unwind in an abundance of blossoming flowers. In this superb drawing the artist gradually reveals a remarkably inventive naturalism as the floral reverie through which we are gently guided is enlivened by inhabitants of the floral and animal worlds with great sophistication and refinement. An extraordinary watercolour attributed to the renowned artist Mir Kalan Khan, ‘The Taming of Wild Elephants’ depicts an elephant hunt, with two fighting elephants as the epicentre of action. The scene is rendered with remarkable detail, illustrating Mir Kalan Khan’s masterful draughtsmanship. Also from the 18^th century, a remarkable work of opaque watercolour and gold on paper of two black bulls and retainers is attributed to the Deccan master Rai Venkatchellam.

Exhibition held at:
Jill Newhouse Gallery
4 East 81 Street, 2nd floor
New York, NY 10028

March 16-22