Untitled

Unknown

ca. 1800 · Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper · Asian Art

This hunt takes place in a tented enclosure, or qamargha. A prince and princess on horseback, each holding a hunting hawk, observe deer being shot by a princess in the distance. This same huntress reappears twice in the foreground, outside the red cloth enclosure: at left, shooting at a deer, and at right, making love with a courtier who demonstrates his prowess by simultaneously aiming an arrow at an approaching tiger. The horses belonging to the amorous couple wait patiently nearby; one has his face covered to prevent him being startled, a device that is likely also a witty allusion to the lovers’ brazen display. The Kangra court style is distinguished by its refined use of softly modulated pastel colors and handsome figure types.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1800

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and silver on paper

Culture

North India, Punjab Hills, Kangra

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky Fund, 2002