Britain’s arts minister has imposed an export bar on a unique watercolour painting depicting a traditional musical performance in mid-18th century northern India in an attempt to find a UK buyer for the 550,000-poundartwork.
Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, is hoping a museum would be interested in acquiring ‘Trumpeters’ by Nainsukh of Guler (1710-1778).
The painting is described by experts as a delicate miniature of a “rarely found calibre”, showing seven village musicians on a terrace, striking differing poses and faces, while energetically blowing the exceptionally long Pahari horns called Turhi, in the hill region of northern India.
It has been categorised as a fine example of Nainsukh of Guler’s trademark gift of detailed observation and complex directional composition.
“Nainsukh’s artistic influence has been felt around the world for generations and this piece demonstrates the outstanding aesthetic importance of his work,” said Ellis.
“I hope that this piece can be kept in the UK, not only for its beauty, but to help further the study of Indian art and history,” he said.
The artist is considered to be one of the most acclaimed of the Pahari Movement, a major and popular genre of Indian miniature painting during the period.
Some of his other works are exhibited in public collections in the UK, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum.