Alivardi Khan, Nawab of Bengal, receiving a guest, circa 1760, opaque pigments on paper heightene...

Alivardi Khan, Nawab of Bengal, receiving a guest, circa 1760, opaque pigments on paper heightened with gold and silver, depicted seated on a terrace, with river and darkening sky behind, details of dress and textiles picked out in gold and silver, on a gold flecked album page, painting 22 x 15.5cm., folio 35.5 x 28.5cm. (VAT charged on hammer price)Provenance: Acquired from Waddington & Tooth, 1970sAlivardi Khan (1671 1756) was the Nawab of Bengal from 1740 to 1756. He toppled the Nasiri dynasty of Nawabs and assumed power himself. He is also known for his victory during the Battle of Burdwan against the Maratha Empire during the Maratha invasions of Bengal. Several fine paintings of him exist, one in the Victoria and Albert Museum with his nephews and grandson.See Skelton, R.: Murshidabad Painting, Marg, X.1, 1956, pp.10-13; Losty, J.: Towards a New Naturalism, Portraiture in Murshidabad and Avadh, 1750-80, Marg, LIII, 4, pp.34-37.