Three religious mendicant couples
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Watercolour and gouache on paper
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The pictures made by Indian artists for the British in India are called Company paintings. This one comes from a volume containing 30 folios depicting castes, occupations, methods of cultivation and processional scenes. It shows three religious mendicant (begging) couples. The couple on the left are non-Brahmin Vaishnavites. They are followers of the philosopher Ramanuja, who revitalised Vaishnavism in the 11th century and whose image appears on the man's flag. The identifying inscription is in Telugu. The couple in the middle belong to a non-Brahmin priest caste, and the inscription below is in Tamil. The third couple are non-Brahmin mendicants (beggars). The man is blowing a conch shell and holding a begging bowl. The woman is carrying a skin bag and holding a peacock-feather fan (morchhal). There is a lamp on a stand between them. The inscription is in Telugu.
Physical description
Painting, watercolour and gouache on paper from a folio of thirty Company paintings, depicting three religious mendicant couples:
1. A non-Brahmin Vaishnavite couple, followers of the philosopher Ramanuja, founder of Shrivaishnavism; the man carrying a small banner depicting the philosopher; both holding begging bowls.
2. A couple of non-Brahmin priest caste.
3. A non-Brahmin mendicant priest and woman; the man blowing a conch-shell and holding a begging bowl, the woman carrying a skin bag and holding a peacock-feather fan; between them, a lamp burning on a stand.
One of a volume of thirty folios depicting castes, occupations, methods of cultivation and procession scenes.
1. A Tamil Sonarta Brahmin; the man carrying a palm-leaf manuscript, the woman a waterpot.
2. A Tamil Iyengar Brahmin.
3. A couple, possibly fan-makers, each holding a fan.
Place of Origin
Thanjavur, India (made)
Date
ca. 1830 (painted)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Watercolour and gouache on paper
Marks and inscriptions
'Gentoo sautaunee'
'Malabar Pandaurum'
'Gentoo Dausary'
Dimensions
Height: 39.5 cm, Width: 58.5 cm
Object history note
From a volume containing thirty folios depicting castes, occupations, methods of cultivation and processions. Bought from Mr. G. Goolden who had it from his late cousin Richard Goolden. RP 87/672
Descriptive line
Painting; gouache and watercolour, Three religious mendicant couples, from a volume containing thirty folios depicting castes, occupations, methods of cultivation and processions, Tanjore, ca. 1830
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992, 59 - 65 p. ISBN 0944142303
Materials
Paper; Watercolour; Gouache
Techniques
Painting
Subjects depicted
Shells; Priests; Beggars; Feather; Fans; Lamps; Castes
Categories
Paintings; Indian Company Paintings
Collection code
SSEA
