ManuscriptsIndian18th-19th century

Archer with the Head of a Horse and the Face of a Man, Carrying a Bow and Arrow (painting, recto; text, verso), folio from a manuscript

18th-19th century

Description

The recto features a large figure holding a bow and arrow and wearing a suit of armor. The mail shirt is comprised of individually-painted links and the front of the shirt is covered in, what is to signify, steel plates. The shirt has a mail skirt that hits just above the knee. The skirt has been partially decorated with individual links, while the remainder, along with the trousers, are unfinished. The shirt is cinched at the waist with a red belt, and the collar is accentuated in lilac. In the left hand, the figure holds an arrow, while in the right it holds a bow. Parts of the quiver can be seen from the figure’s back. The figure has a long, horse-like neck with a short mane. The head and face is that of a human figure. The eyes are almond-shaped, heavy-lidded, and crossed. The ears are that of a horse. The verso features five lines that are a combination of Hindi and Rajasthani that are written in black ink and in Devanagari script. The text is largely illegible, although it mentions Ram and Keshav, an alternate name for Krishna, who are the seventh and eighth avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu, respectively. Basohli Style.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink and opaque watercolor on paper; Basohli Style

Culture

Indian

Century

18th-19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art