Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c11.89

c11.89

One of the most amusing passages in the "Memoirs of Sir Thomas Roe," who was sent by James I., in the interests of the East India Company, to the Court of the Great Mogul, is concerned with Jahangir's pride in the skill of his painters. The directors of the Company, who were evidently aware what were the most acceptable presents at the Mogul Court, had sent some pictures with the ambassador: they had previously sent out portraits of James and his Queen, Anne of Denmark, as well as one of Sir Thomas Smyth, Governor of the Company, which was much prized by Jahangir, as his painters, so it was said, confessed their inability to imitate it.¹