Currently not on view
Mana Lalji,
ca. 1860
Indian
2013-15
The inscription on this painting indicates that it is a portrait of a young gentleman named Mana Lalji. He stands in profile under a decorated archway, wearing a white robe and blue turban with gold ornaments, as well as gold necklaces and ear ornaments. Barefoot, he holds a string of red prayer beads in one hand, while the other forms a gesture of welcome and comfort. Under his right arm he clutches a white cloth with red decoration. This painting deftly combines the traditional Indian profile portrait with a softer line and more naturalistic shading techniques, both of which were introduced from Europe. The result gives a gentle roundness to Lalji’s face and hands, which stand in contrast to the flatly rendered background, carpet, and arch.
More About This Object
Information
Title
Mana Lalji
Dates
ca. 1860
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
35.3 x 23.9 cm. (13 7/8 x 9 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
Object Number
2013-15
Place Made
India, Rajasthan, Jaipur
Inscription
Inscribed:
tasvir Mana Lal ji ki - picture of Mana Lal ji
kalam ramacadrara ki - the work of Ramacandra
written in Hindi-Urdu
Culture
Period
Type
Materials
– Claudio Moscatelli Collection (UK?).
–2013 Prahlad Bubbar, (London, United Kingdom), sold to the Princeton University Art Museum, 2013.
