Lot 286: Benjamin Hudson (fl. 1847-1862)

Benjamin Hudson (fl. 1847-1862)
Portrait of Bonsha Gopal Nandi, half-length, in an angarkha, seated at a table, a red draped curtain beyond; and Portrait of Lala Manik Lal Kapur, half-length, in uniform
the latter signed 'B. Hudson Px' (lower right)
oil on canvas
30 3/8 x 25¼ in. (77.2 x 64.2 cm.)
two (2)

Charles Flanigan, Calcutta.
Dr. Maurice Shellim, and by descent to the current owner.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Bonsha Gopal Nandi, also known as Lala Janaki Prasad Nanday, was the brother of Narain Kumair, Maharaja Mahtab of Burdwan's third wife. The Maharaja and Narain had no children so wanted to adopt her younger brother. However, Nandi died in his twenties so Narain instead adopted Nandi's son, who became the next Maharaja. The artist was living in Calcutta between 1856 and 1862, and painted a series of members of the court of Burdwan during this period, including a Portrait of Babu Rama Brasag Rai, which was offered in these Rooms in October 1991. The present portrait is likely to have been executed in circa 1858.
Lala Manik Lal Kapur was the Baksha, or military tutor to Maharaja Aftab Chand.