Harvard Art Museums > 2009.202.258: The Dog Wallah Paintings Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"The Dog Wallah , 2009.202.258,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Dec 13, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/216938. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 2009.202.258 Title The Dog Wallah Other Titles Alternate Title: A Servant with Four Dogs Classification Paintings Work Type painting Date c. 1825 Places Creation Place: South Asia, India, Bengal, Calcutta Culture Indian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/216938 Physical Descriptions Medium Opaque watercolor on paper Dimensions 27.6 x 21.5 cm (10 7/8 x 8 7/16 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History Stuart Cary Welch (by 1983 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1983. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch Accession Year 2009 Object Number 2009.202.258 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Commentary Label text from exhibition “Company to Crown: Perceptions and Reactions in British India,” April 8–October 15, 2011, curated by Maliha Noorani, 2009–11 Norma Jean Calderwood Curatorial Fellow, Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art, Harvard Art Museums: Doruah (Dog Keeper) Calcutta, India, c. 1825 Opaque watercolor on paper Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch, 2009.202.258 In Hindi, doruah, the caption inscribed beneath this painting, means “dog keeper”—literally, one who holds a leash (dor). Dressed in elegant livery—a tightly bound dhoti and coat—the dog keeper comfortably holds the leashes of three dogs of European origin. Created in sets, such typologies of occupations offered insight into Indian society and were popular gifts to send home to friends and family in England. In increasing numbers, Company officers engaged local artists to make paintings of their servants and of stock characters outside British cantonments, or military stations. Indian artists adapted to European tastes in style as well as subject. The pale, translucent washes appear at first glance to mimic British watercolor technique. However, they are built up with small, visible strokes, a feature of traditional Indian miniature painting. Exhibition History Re-View: S231 (Islamic rotation: 7) Company to Crown, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/08/2011 - 10/15/2011 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