Unknown. It was last documented at a Christie’s auction in London in July 2022, and its present location has not been confirmed.
Location History:
India, Mughal Empire.
It was later part of Robert Clive’s collection around 1765 and was sold at Christie’s, London, in 1968. It may have later been held by Arthur Tooth & Sons, London.
An illustration to a Baramasa (Twelve Months) series: The Winter Month of Agahana is attributed to Muhammad Afzal and is dated to 1740. The painting is part of the Baramasa (Twelve Months) series, which gives us a peek into the connection between the changing seasons and human life. The painting shows four women who have wrapped themselves in shawls to keep themselves warm and are sitting around a brazier under a red canopy in an enclosed courtyard.
This presents us with the winter season during the late Mughal period. The detailed architecture of the courtyard, the red canopy and the clothing of the women suggest that they belonged to a wealthy household. This painting gives us a view into the life of the privileged class during that period. The painting also shows us how people gathered and spent time together during the colder months.
The artwork details the surroundings and the way they were maintained. The designed structures show the importance of spaces to gather and spend time. Through the painting, we get to understand the daily lives of women and the architecture during the late Mughal period. The arrangement of the figures and the courtyard also show how people interacted with their surroundings during that period. The painting helps us understand how art preserved details of people's lifestyles, clothing and architecture during the late Mughal period.
