Artwork Page for A pair of Brahminy ducks

Details / Information for A pair of Brahminy ducks

A pair of Brahminy ducks

c. 1595; borders added probably 1800s

India, Mughal, 16th century

Medium
Gum tempera on paper, mounted with later pink and blue borders
Measurements
Page: 28.3 x 19.8 cm (11 1/8 x 7 13/16 in.); Painting: 8.6 x 4.5 cm (3 3/8 x 1 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.299
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Delicate dots articulate the texture of webbed feet and toothy row in the beak.

Description

The Brahminy duck, also known as the ruddy shelduck, can be found throughout Southern Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. This painting accurately depicts the orange coloring of Brahminy ducks and the patches of white on their wings. They are also recognizable by their long legs and short bills. The level of detail in realistic paintings of animals like this one suggests that Mughal artists studied live subjects, such as the waterfowl that lived in Mughal palace gardens.
A vertically oriented gum tempera painting depicts two reddish-brown ducks with black and white wings on sandy ground. Facing our right, the ducks stand amidst blue and orange flowers; the rear duck has an open bill. Behind them, rolling tan hills rise toward a pale sky filled with tiny birds flying in formation. In the foreground, a narrow stream contains green lily pads and fish. A dark border frames the composition.

A pair of Brahminy ducks

c. 1595; borders added probably 1800s

India, Mughal, 16th century

See Also

  • Collection
    Indian
  • Department
    Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Type of artwork
    Painting
  • Medium
    Ink on paper
  • Credit line
    Gift In Honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by Exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection

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