Indian Painting under the Mughals, A.D. 1550 to A.D. 1750 c15.24

c15.24

The business was about a Picture I had lately giuen the king and was Confident that noe man in India could equall yt. So soone as I came hee asked mee what I would giue the Paynter that had made a Coppy soe like it that I should not knowe myne owne. I answered : a Painters reward—50 rupies. The king replied his Painter was a Cauallere,¹ and that too smalle a guift ; to which I answered I gaue my Picture with a good hart, esteeming it rare, and ment not to make comparisons or wagers : if his Seruant had done as well, and would not accept of my guifte, his Maiestie was most fitt to reward him. [Later] At night hee sent for mee, beeing hastie to triumph in his woorkman, and shewed me 6 Pictures, 5 made by his man, all pasted on one table, so like that I was by candle-light troubled to discerne which was which ; I confesse beyond all expectation, yet I shewed myne owne and the differences, which were in arte apparent, but not to be judged by a Common eye. But for that at first sight I knew it not, hee was very merry and Ioyful and craked like a Northern man. I gaue him way and Content, praying his mans arte. Now, saith hee, what say you? I replied I saw his Maiestie needed noe Picture from our Country. But, saieth hee, what will you giue the Painter? I answered : seeing hee had soe farr excelled my opinione of him, I would double my liberalitye, and that if hee came to my house, I would giue him 100 Rupies to buy a Nagg : which the king tooke kindly, but answered hee should accept no mony but some other guifte ; which I promised. The king asked : what? I said it was referrable to my discretion. So hee answered it was true ; yet desiered I would name yt. I replyed a good swoord, or Pistoll, or Picture ; wherat the king answered ; yow confesse hee is a good woorkman ; send for him home, and showe him such toyes as you haue and lett him choose one ; in requitall wherof you shall choose any of these Coppies to showe in England wee are not soe vnskillful as you esteeme vs. Soe hee pressed mee to choose one, which I did. The king, wrapping it vp in paper and putting it vp in a table book ² of myne, deliuered yt with much Joye and exultation of his mans supposed victory.