Artwork
A saddler and his wife
A saddler and his wife 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
A saddler and his wife are depicted in this painting, one of sixteen works illustrating various castes and occupations. The couple stands against a plain light blue background, engaging with each other.
Subject & Meaning
The saddler, dressed in a white dhoti with red border, blue cap, and brown bag, holds a black object likely a saddle. His wife, in a gray sari, white blouse, and gold jewelry, stands facing him. The portrayal highlights their occupation and social status.
Technique & Style
The painting features a distinctive light blue background and subtle shadowing, with the man's shadow visible on the black platform beneath them. The style bears resemblance to Romanticism, characterized by attention to detail and emotive representation.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the India Museum's collection, the painting was transferred in 1879 as part of a set of four framed illustrations showcasing castes and occupations, created by at least two artists distinguished by their use of blue or yellow backgrounds.
Context
This work is part of a larger set documenting Indian castes and professions, suggesting its purpose was informational or ethnographic, likely intended for an audience interested in Indian society during the period.
Legacy
As part of a historical set, the painting provides insight into 19th-century Indian occupations and attire, preserved through its transfer to a new collection in 1879.
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
