About me
Over the past decade I have specialised in researching drawings of flora and fauna from South and Southeast Asia, particularly China and India. I have also researched and catalogued portraits, landscapes, Mughal miniature paintings, Rajput paintings, ‘Company School’ drawings, objects and arms and armour.
I have written and contributed to books and presented my research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. I have managed art galleries in London and worked at Sotheby’s auction house. During my tenure at Sotheby’s, I researched and catalogued artworks for Arts of the Islamic World, The Amaya Collection and Contemporary Art Doha.
I hold a First-Class Honours Degree in History of Art from Sussex University. I subsequently achieved distinctions in Indian and Islamic Art from SOAS University, London.
Portfolio
Paterson’s Company School Animal Drawings
The Scientific and the Sublime
An Indian Paradise Flycatcher Shaikh Zayn Al-Din
Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III
A View of Serampore
James Baillie Fraser
Ladies Gather at a Riverside Pavilion
Publications
AUTHOR
Paterson’s Company School Animal Drawings
Zebregs & Roell, Amsterdam, 2026.
The Scientific and the Sublime: An Important Collection of Chinese Botanical Illustrations Attributed to Win Ahcun and other Artists
Amir Mohtashemi, London 2024.
CONTRIBUTOR
Amir Mohtashemi
various
Masters of the Mughal and Rajput Courts: Indian Painting 1590-1860
Prahlad Bubbar, London, 2014.
In Pursuit of Empire: Treasures from the Toor Collection of Sikh Art
Davinder Toor, Kashi House, London, 2018.
Warrior Saints: Four Centuries of Sikh Military History (Vol 1)
Amandeep Singh Madra & Parmjit Singh. London: Kashi House, 2013
Services
Art Historical Research
I conduct detailed art historical research and analysis.
This may include: ascertaining the provenance of an artwork, identifying an artist, genre or regional school. Date or time period, country of origin, identifying flora and fauna, paper type, watermarks and countermarks.
Writing & Cataloguing
My writing aims to reveal an artwork’s hidden story.
I provide a detailed description including artistic technique and merit, time period, origin and historical context. My writing is accessible to both academic and non-specialist audiences.
I work on a freelance basis. If you would like to discuss a project, please contact me below.