Elephants Approaching a Palace (recto, fragment); Pricked drawing of Matsya, Visnhu’s Fish Avatar (verso, fragment)

Artists

Description

On the recto side of this page is a large caparisoned elephant approaching a palace with its trunk raised up, saluting a figure on the palace’s balcony. Due to the missing portion of this image, it is difficult to determine the identity of the royal figure, although it has been suggested it is Prince Madho Singh. Mounted on the elephant is a driver carrying an elephant goad. The large elephant leads a group of smaller elephants who are also accompanied by drivers. On the right of the large elephant is a calf. An attendant on foot sprays water at the large elephant from a hose. On the verso side of this page, in the upper right hand corner is a fragmented drawing of Matsya, the Hindu god Vishnu’s first and fish avatar. The drawing has been pricked to prepare for pounce transfer, which involves forcing powder such as chalk and charcoal through the holes onto a clean surface to copy the image. Rajput Style, Kota School.

Dimensions

24.2 x 29 cm (9 1/2 x 11 7/16 in.)

Provenance

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.