Artwork
A Brahmin story-teller and his wife
A Brahmin story-teller and his wife is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting portrays a Brahmin story-teller and his wife set against a plain blue background, one of six scenes depicting various castes and occupations. The couple is rendered in vibrant, simple forms, evoking a narrative atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The Brahmin, identifiable by his attire and palm-leaf manuscript, is depicted in a storytelling gesture, while his wife stands alongside, carrying a bundle. Their poses and accessories convey their roles and social context.
Technique & Style
Characterized by bright colors, flat backgrounds, and clear, simple shapes, the painting exhibits a style reminiscent of illustrative or storybook art, potentially influenced by Romantic-era emphasis on emotion and imagination.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the India Museum, the painting was transferred in 1879 and documented in the 1880 Register Entry as part of two framed sets of colored illustrations, gifted by P. F. Campbell-Johnston.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
