Rajasthan
Pigments and gold on paper
A striking portrait of a courtesan shows her wearing a yellow veil swept across her shoulders and adorned with numerous jewels, including diamonds, emeralds, and multiple strings of pearls forming head, hair, and ear ornaments, as well as necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Her right hand rests across her chest, while her lustrous black hair falls in curls to either side. The composition emphasises shape, pattern, and surface design, with strong lines and block colours dominating, particularly in the detailed rendering of the jewellery.
Restricted by social convention, artists seldom painted women from life, and this portrait, like many others, depicts an imagined type such as a dancer or courtesan. Courtesans (tawaifs) held an honoured place in the Muslim cultures of India, particularly in Lucknow and Delhi. Trained in music, dance, and the appreciation of Persian and Urdu courtly literature, they were considered women of refinement, and their company was eagerly sought by noble patrons. They would often entertain their visitors by performing the nautch (dance).
Painting Size (cms): 31.5(H) x 23(W)
Painting Size (inches): 12.5(H) x 9(W)
