Accession number
PML 88559
Published
Benares, India? 19th century
Credit line
Bequest of Julia P. Wightman, 1994.
Notes
Two sets of costume miniatures painted on talcs (mica) sheets, oval cut-outs for faces, and one backdrop sheet of paper with a painted face above a garden setting. The two sets are housed together and are not separated. Depicted are musicians and dancing girls in various costumes. Some of the portraits show similar postures, but the color schemes of the costumes are different. Probably painted in Benares, artist unknown. A similar 12 miniature set was exhibited at the 1883-84 Calcutta International Exhibition.
Paintings of this type were made in Benares from about 1815 onwards. They were made by Indian artists who became acquainted with European techniques of water-color painting and were developed especially for Europeans.
Paintings of this type were made in Benares from about 1815 onwards. They were made by Indian artists who became acquainted with European techniques of water-color painting and were developed especially for Europeans.
Description
2 sets of games (25 miniature paintings) : col. ill. ; 11 cm (each card)
Provenance
From the library of Julia P. Wightman.
Binding
Both sets fitted into an early 19th century? wooden box with a scene stippled in black ink onto the lid, depicting an Italianate mountainous landscape with a castle and a couple walking towards a bridge. Sides decorated with floral borders. Lined in blue paper. (9.4 x 13.5 x 2.7 cm).
Classification
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Department