Not currently on display at the V&A

Painting

first half of the 18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, on this page comprises three separate flower studies on a plain off-white paper ground which appears to have been cut down from a larger folio to fit the smaller format of the present album. The modelling of the flowers and leaves is achieved with loose hatched lines in deeper tones of paint. A red poppy with leaves and a bud dominates the left hand side of the lower portion of the painting. On the right is a yellow tulip shown above a pink water-lily-like flower and bud surrounded by a bunch of leaves of differing shapes and sizes. Some of these leaves and the edge of the poppy study have been cut off by the applied strips of dark grey paper which form an inner border with black outlines. These are laid on the plain ivory-coloured main border which has strips of pale buff-coloured paper stuck along its margins with two black lines ruled along its inner edges. The right hand side shows signs of damage where a former paper gutter has probably been removed when the present textile strip was added as a gutter for the present binding of the album.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour on paper
Brief description
Painting, Small Clive Album p. 28, flower studies, opaque watercolour on paper, Mughal, first half 18th century
Physical description
The painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, on this page comprises three separate flower studies on a plain off-white paper ground which appears to have been cut down from a larger folio to fit the smaller format of the present album. The modelling of the flowers and leaves is achieved with loose hatched lines in deeper tones of paint. A red poppy with leaves and a bud dominates the left hand side of the lower portion of the painting. On the right is a yellow tulip shown above a pink water-lily-like flower and bud surrounded by a bunch of leaves of differing shapes and sizes. Some of these leaves and the edge of the poppy study have been cut off by the applied strips of dark grey paper which form an inner border with black outlines. These are laid on the plain ivory-coloured main border which has strips of pale buff-coloured paper stuck along its margins with two black lines ruled along its inner edges. The right hand side shows signs of damage where a former paper gutter has probably been removed when the present textile strip was added as a gutter for the present binding of the album.
Dimensions
  • Central painting height: 21.2cm
  • Central painting width: 14.2cm
  • Page height: 35.5cm
  • Page width: 23.5cm
Style
Credit line
Gift of Mr. John Goelet
Object history
This miniature painting is part of the Small Clive Album of Indian miniatures 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 62 leaves on which are Mughal miniature paintings, drawing and flower studies on both sides. The binding is covered with an Indian brocade silk that 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
possibly made in Avadh
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
IS.48:14/B-1956

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdNovember 13, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest