A Brahmin story-teller and his wife thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

A Brahmin story-teller and his wife

Painting
ca. 1790 - ca. 1800 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Tanjore (made)

One of six paintings of castes and occupations, all against a plain blue background. This one of a Brahmin story-teller and his wife, the man, in a red and blue cap turned up at the back, holding a palm-leaf manuscript, his wife holding a bundle.

Object details

Categories
Indian Company Paintings
Paintings
India Museum
Object type
Painting
TitleA Brahmin story-teller and his wife (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Gouache
Gouache
Paper
Painted
Brief description
Painting; Gouache, A Brahmin story-teller and his wife, Tanjore, ca. 1790 - ca. 1800
Physical description
One of six paintings of castes and occupations, all against a plain blue background. This one of a Brahmin story-teller and his wife, the man, in a red and blue cap turned up at the back, holding a palm-leaf manuscript, his wife holding a bundle.
Dimensions
  • Height: 28cm
  • Width: 21cm
Style
Company
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed: A Bramin Story Teller
Gallery label
(23/03/2022)
Before the introduction of photography to India, European residents and tourists collected documentary paintings like these as souvenirs of their visit. The woman in this drawing wears a nine-yard floral sari draped in the madisaru style distinct to the region. The elaborate yet functional drape, and the bundle under her arm suggest she would have accompanied her husband. He carries a palm leaf manuscript to denote his profession.
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [ Room 8. On The Wall.] '0927, 0928. TWO FRAMES, glazed, each containing six coloured illustrations of costumes &c. Presented by P. F. Campbell-Johnston, Esq.' (No slip numbers given.)
Bibliographic reference
Archer, Mildred. Company Paintings Indian Paintings of the British period Victoria and Albert Museum Indian Series London: Victoria and Albert Museum, Maplin Publishing, 1992, 54 p. ISBN 0944142303
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
0928:6/(IS)

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O433675/a-brahmin-story-teller-and-painting-unknown/
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