Artwork
Court lady singing and playing the vina (recto)
Court lady singing and playing the vina (recto) is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Muhammad Rizavi Hindi. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting depicts a woman playing a vina, a traditional Indian musical instrument, while singing.
About this work
A woman in a gold-trimmed robe sits cross-legged, singing while she plucks a gourd-shaped vina.
The painting comes from Lucknow in the 1700s, when local artists blended Mughal precision with softer, livelier colors. Look at the tiny white dots on her veil—they’re not embroidery, but light catching the sheer fabric.
To see more of this delicate style, look up 18th century Indian art.
Overview
This painting depicts a woman playing a vina, a traditional Indian musical instrument, while singing. Created in Lucknow during the 1700s, it exemplifies the local artistic style of the time.
Subject & Meaning
The scene represents a courtly entertainment setting, where music, along with wine, poetry, and art appreciation, played a significant role. The woman's activity embodies the cultural refinement associated with such environments.
Technique & Style
The artwork showcases a blend of Mughal precision and softer, more vibrant colors characteristic of Lucknow's 18th-century art. The depiction of light catching the sheer fabric of the woman's veil, represented by tiny white dots, demonstrates the artist's attention to detail and texture.
Artist & collection
