TIMUR PASSES ON HIS CROWN TO BABUR AND HUMAYUN Mughal India, first half 18th century Pigments and gold on paper, the three sovereigns on their thrones wearing parasols, Timur in the centre flanked by Babur on his right and Humayun on his left, tears, small marks and soiling, mounted. Size: 16 x 17.1 cm This painting is directly inspired by the work of the Mughal artist Govardhan, dated circa 1628 and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (IM.8-1925). It shows Timur (1336-1405), the Central Asian ancestor of the Mughals, allegorically handing over his crown to Babur (r. 1526-30), who is faced by his son Humayun (r. 1530-40 and 1544-45). The painting was perhaps done to mark the accession to the throne of Shah Jahan (r. 1628-58), Humayun's great-grandson. Our work, on the other hand, dates from the first half of the 18th century. An important dynastic portrait of the Mughals, from Timur to Aurangzeb, dated circa 1707-12, executed in the same vein as our painting but of superior quality, is in the Khalili collections, London and Geneva (inv. MSS 874). Timur hands his Crown to Babur and Humayun, Mughal India, first half 18th century This painting is directly inspired by the work of the Mughal artist Govardhan, dated circa 1628 and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (IM.8-1925). It shows Timur (1336-1405), the Central Asian ancestor of the Mughals, allegorically handing over his crown to Babur (r. 1526-30), who is faced by his son Humayun (r. 1530-40 and 1544-45). The painting was perhaps done to mark the accession to the throne of Shah Jahan (r.1628-58), Humayun's great-grandson. Our work, on the other hand, dates from the first half of the 18th century. An important dynastic portrait of the Mughals, from Timur to Aurangzeb, dated circa 1707-12, executed in the same vein as our painting but of superior quality, is in the Khalili collections, London and Geneva (inv. MSS 874).