Shakir Ali (b.1956), Blue throated Barbet, 2020

Drawing upon the refined legacy of Mughal painting ateliers, Shakir Ali’s work reflects a lifelong study of the miniature form – its precision, lyricism and deep engagement with nature. From his early training under his paternal lineage to formal studies in Jaipur, Ali has absorbed elements of multiple schools of miniature art, blending them into a practice both scholarly and instinctive. His meticulous depiction of realistic subjects retains traditional vigour while revealing a keen eye for contemporary taste and composition.

This refined miniature presents a contemplative barbet perched on a slender branch, rendered with remarkable sensitivity and control. Subtle gradations of green and ochre give depth to the bird’s plumage, while its bowed head lends the composition a quiet, introspective grace. Set against a softly washed ground touched with gold, the scene is framed by an exquisitely worked border of gilt and indigo, its delicate ornamentation elevating the image to a highly collectible work that rewards close viewing.

This subject was initially painted in the 17th century by one of the greatest artists in the atelier of the Mughal emperor Jehangir, Mansur Naqqash. Jehangir had a great admiration for the nature and commissioned a large body of work on the natural world during his reign.