2009.202.126: Preparatory Drawing of a Chained Elephant Drinking Water

Identification and Creation

Object Number

2009.202.126

Title

Preparatory Drawing of a Chained Elephant Drinking Water

Classification

Drawings

Work Type

drawing

Date

18th century

Places

Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Kota

Culture

Indian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/217617

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Ink on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School

Dimensions

13.2 x 25 cm (5 3/16 x 9 13/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum.

Notes:
Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.

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

2009.202.126

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

The large elephant is composed of red and black lines that demonstrate the various stages of the drawing process, from initial sketches to more detailed inclusions. The elephant wears a cloth-saddle that is attached to a large harness which wraps around the elephant, behind its front legs. A bell, faintly drawn in red, hangs from the harness. The elephant also wears a collar, which the driver (mahout) would tuck his feet under to balance. The animal’s long trunk reaches into a tall container of water. All four of its legs are chained. On the left side is a sketch of a male figure, down to his torso. Rajput Style, Kota School.

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