Important Notice

Rajasthan (Kishangarh), Late 18th Century CE
Ink and watercolour on paper
6.5 x 4 in (16.5 x 10.2 cm)

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY-NON-EXPORTABLE

Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, Mumbai


The princely state of Kishangarh in central Rajasthan conceived an elegant school of art which was eponymously named. The Kishangarh school was distinct in its style. In vestments, it reflected the garb worn by men and women at the time, but these were executed with incredible sensitivity and refinement. Lines are delicate, and forms curve sensuously. The sharp facial features are characteristic of such paintings.

This finely executed drawing shows a Rajasthani woman, either dancing or stretching. She tilts her head sideways, smiling, and her arched back emphasises the curves of her body. Her odhni appears transluscent, and every crease and fold has been painstakingly captured by the artist. Rows of pearls adorn he neck, and her choker, armlets and bangles suggest that she may be a princess or courtesan; many artists were hired at the courts of kings and drew inspiration from what they observed around them. The background is devoid of detail, and minimal colour is used. This technique highlights the borders of the odhni and the woman's finery, and draws the viewer's attention to the central figure.

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