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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1984.531
Title
Ruler and His Court watching a Nautch Dancer and Musicians
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
19th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Delhi
Period
British period
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216212

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink on paper
Technique
Brushwork
Dimensions
32 x 24.8 cm (12 5/8 x 9 3/4 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Philip Hofer
Accession Year
1984
Object Number
1984.531
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
The drawing depicts an enthroned ruler at the top center of the image under an awning. He wears a turban with ornaments that signify his royal status and has a large, black shield (dhal) in front of him. Behind him are three attendants, one of which holds a flywhisk over his shoulder, which also denotes the ruler’s status. At the center of the image is a young Nautch girl. Nautch (“dance”, “dancing”) is one of the several styles of popular dancing in North Indian performed by young women. She is accompanied by a group of male musicians. Flanking them is a row of courtiers.

Publication History

  • Dr. Forrest McGill, ed., Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in the Arts of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayan Region, exh. cat., Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (San Francisco, 2022), p. 83, fig. 9; p. 217, cat. 92

Exhibition History

  • Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art, Cincinnati Art Museum, 11/11/2022 - 02/05/2023; Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 03/31/2023 - 07/10/2023

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu