Artwork

Three of Sri Tung Bahadur's Favorite Wives and His Youngest Son

Three of Sri Tung Bahadur's Favorite Wives and His Youngest Son is a photography by the Impressionist artist Bourne & Shepherd. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see three women in big, ruffled skirts and a little boy in a suit, all posed stiffly against a plain background.

You see three women in big, ruffled skirts and a little boy in a suit, all posed stiffly against a plain background. The women wear shawls and jewelry, but their clothes mix Nepali style with European puffed sleeves and lace.

This photo was taken in Nepal around 1870, when the country’s leader was copying English government ideas. He liked European fashion too, so his wives wore these mixed-outfit looks. It’s a quiet record of how two cultures met.

If you want to see more photos from this studio, look up Bourne & Shepherd (British, active India, 1868–2016).

Overview

This photograph, taken around 1870, depicts three of Sri Tung Bahadur's favorite wives and his youngest son. It is an example of early photography in Nepal, showcasing the cultural exchange between Nepal and Europe during that period.

Subject & Meaning

The image features three women and a young boy posed against a plain background. The women wear a blend of traditional Nepali attire and European fashion elements, such as voluminous skirts and shawls, while the boy is dressed in a suit.

Technique & Style

The photograph is characterized by a formal, stiff pose, typical of studio photography of the time. The subjects' clothing combines Nepali and European styles, reflecting the cultural influences of the era.

Context

The photograph was taken during the rule of Jung Bahadur Rana, who was modernizing Nepal's governance based on European models. This cultural exchange is evident in the subjects' attire, which blends traditional and European elements.

History & Provenance

The photograph is attributed to the studio Bourne & Shepherd, a British firm active in India from 1868 to 2016. The studio was known for its photography work in the region, capturing the cultural and social changes of the time.