Artwork
A man and woman
A man and woman is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a man and woman standing side by side against a flat blue sky. The man wears a long white robe with red trim and a yellow hat, holding a small metal cup and a decorated stick. The woman is dressed in a light-colored sari with gold jewelry, holding a metal pitcher.
Subject & Meaning
The subjects, an unidentified man and woman, are portrayed in attire and with accessories (hat, jewelry, ceremonial objects) that suggest specific, though unconfirmed, cultural or religious roles. Their identities and the precise significance of their depicted items (e.g., the decorated stick, metal pitcher) remain unclear.
Technique & Style
The work features bright, slightly faded colors, with sharp contrast between the figures and the blue background, enhancing their visibility. Intricate details, such as the man’s hat and the woman’s gold jewelry, demonstrate attention to ornamentation.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the India Museum’s collection, the painting was transferred in 1879 and entered the current collection in 1880 as part of a donation 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
