Sneaking into the mirror
Kalighat Painting
2009 (painted)
2009 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The vibrant blue used here is similar in shade to that used in the depictions of Hanuman in the V&A's collection. The lady in this painting, although clearly alone in the privacy of her room, stares seductively at her imaginary lover in the mirror reflection in front of her. Her posture echoes the depictions of seated courtesans in the 19th century.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Sneaking into the mirror (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Kalighat painting 'Sneaking into the mirror', by Kalam Patua, Birbhum district, West Bengal, 2009. |
| Physical description | There are two central charaters in this painting, one of whom is seated looking at her reflection in a mirror. The artist has missed some of the accuracy of the mirror reflection image - the real woman is touching her right ear, whereas her reflection is also touching it's right ear when it should be the left. The ghostly green colouring of the male lover's figure emphasises his imaginary status. The deep blue of the background in this painting highlights the subtlety and sensuality of the woman's draped garment, emphasised by its transparency. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | The vibrant blue used here is similar in shade to that used in the depictions of Hanuman in the V&A's collection. The lady in this painting, although clearly alone in the privacy of her room, stares seductively at her imaginary lover in the mirror reflection in front of her. Her posture echoes the depictions of seated courtesans in the 19th century. (October 2011 - May 2012) |
| Summary | The vibrant blue used here is similar in shade to that used in the depictions of Hanuman in the V&A's collection. The lady in this painting, although clearly alone in the privacy of her room, stares seductively at her imaginary lover in the mirror reflection in front of her. Her posture echoes the depictions of seated courtesans in the 19th century. |
| Bibliographic reference | Sinha, Suhashini, and Panda, C, eds. Kalighat Paintings from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2012. ISBN 1851776656.
p.107 cat.no.98 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.52-2011 |
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| Record created | November 17, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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