Artwork
One of Fifteen drawings depicting household servants, Benares
One of Fifteen drawings depicting household servants, Benares is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This Indian painting is one of fifteen works depicting household servants in Benares.
About this work
Overview
This Indian painting is one of fifteen works depicting household servants in Benares. It portrays a musician standing in a simple, beige-colored room, holding a tambura, a stringed instrument.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a serene, neutrally expressive musician dressed in traditional attire: a white robe, red sash, and yellow turban, with bare feet. His direct gaze and the understated setting convey a sense of quiet elegance.
Technique & Style
The work features a restrained color palette and minimal background details, with visible dark lines on the wall, suggesting a focus on the subject's presence over elaborate surroundings.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the Department of Engraving, Illustration & Design (reference RP 51/2237), the painting was later transferred to its current collection.
Context
While created in a distinct Indian tradition, the emphasis on capturing everyday life and simplicity might draw comparisons to broader artistic movements emphasizing realism and understatement.
Legacy
As part of a series documenting Benares' household servants, this work contributes to a visual record of 19th-century Indian domestic life and the roles within it.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
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Untitled
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A Box covered and lined with brocade containing a card painted with a face, and with a verandah covered with a striped rug; also twelve mica overlays depicting dancers and musicians.
Pavana