Artwork Page for Court lady singing and playing the vina (recto)

Details / Information for Court lady singing and playing the vina (recto)

Court lady singing and playing the vina (recto)

c. 1760

attributed to Muhammad Rizavi Hindi

(Indian, active mid-1700s)
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Culture
India, Lucknow, Mughal, 18th century
Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Miniature: 21.6 x 16.8 cm (8 1/2 x 6 5/8 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 2013.349.a
Public Domain
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Location
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Did You Know?

When the mouth is open, and teeth and tongue are showing, she is singing.

Description

Her mouth open slightly in song, the woman’s hennaed fingers strum a three-string vina, an Indian musical instrument with a resonator made from a gourd. Music was an essential component of courtly entertainment, along with the drinking of wine and the appreciation of poetry, paintings, and jewels.
A vertically oriented gum tempera and ink painting depicts a woman with light skin tone in profile, facing our left within a dark gray oval. She has a pointed nose and holds a long-necked green stringed instrument. A gold-dotted purple shawl and skirt drape her figure, complemented by layered pearl necklaces. Fine brushwork renders her delicate features and jewelry. Concentric rectangular borders in gold, blue, and cream enclose the scene.

Court lady singing and playing the vina (recto)

c. 1760

Muhammad Rizavi Hindi

(Indian, active mid-1700s)
India, Lucknow, Mughal, 18th century

See Also

  • Collection
    Indian
  • Department
    Indian and Southeast Asian Art
  • Type of artwork
    Painting
  • Medium
    Tempera
  • 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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