a marigold.

Physical description

A large orange marigold bloom rests on top of a dark green leafy stem with side shoots and buds. The individual petals are modelled with fine orange brushwork against a yellow ground and the leaves and buds are veined and outlined in a darker shade of green. The flower is set against a plain eau-de-nil green ground. It is framed with strips of dark blue paper outlined in black pasted onto a plain ivory-coloured border with strips of pale buff-coloured paper at the margins, which also are outlined in black ink. A pale brown strip of paper has been added on the right hand sideof the page as a gutter for the album binding. The edges of the page have been gilded.

Place of Origin

India (north, made)

Date

17th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Opaque watercolour on paper

Dimensions

Height: 22.5 cm central painting, Width: 13 cm central painting, Height: 35.5 cm page, Width: 23.5 cm page

Object history note

This painting is part of the Small Clive Album which is thought to have been given by Shuja ud-daula, the Nawab of Avadh, to Lord Clive during his last visit to India in 1765-67. It contains 56 leaves on which are Mughal paintings, drawings and flower studies on both sides. The album was rebound in the mid nineteenth century with a striped Indian brocade, patterned with rows of flower sprigs, possibly made in southern India. The silk may have been cut from lengths brought home by the 2nd Lord Clive, who served as Governor of Madras, 1799 to 1803. The album was sold from Powis Castle at Sotheby's sale, 16 to 18 January 1956, lot 332A

Production Note

It is difficult to date this painting accurately, but the pale green background and fineness of the brushwork suggests a seventeenth-century date.

Materials

Paper; Watercolour

Techniques

Painting (image-making); Collage

Subjects depicted

Flowers (plants)

Categories

Paintings

Collection code

SSEA