Portrait of Poet Momin Khan Momin (recto), Sketch of Begum Samru (verso)

Artists

Description

The recto side of this page features an unfinished portrait of poet, Momin Khan Momin (1800-1851). He was known for his Urdu ghazals, a form of poetry popular on the Indian subcontinent. He is shown here bare-chested and seated cross-legged with his hands in his lap. The verso side of this page depicts a sketch of Begum Samru (1746-1836) within an oval. Begum Samru was born as Farzana Zeb-un-Nissa. She was a Nautch dancing girl and eventually became the ruler of Sardhana, a small principality near Meerut, a city in Uttar Pradesh. She was head of a professionally trained mercenary army, inherited from her European mercenary husband, Walter Reinhardt Sombre. She took the name Johanna Nobilis Sombre and converted to Catholicism from Islam. She is depicted wearing a hat with a large tassel and a cloak draped over her body.

Dimensions

17 x 11.5 cm (6 11/16 x 4 1/2 in.)

Provenance

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1983 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1983.