Ruler and his court watching a nautch dancer and musicians

Unknown (Indian)

Item type:

drawing

Date of creation:

19th century

Height:

32.0 cm  (12 5/8 in.)

Width:

24.8 cm  (9 3/4 in.)

Technique / Medium:

ink on paper; brushwork

Place of creation:

Delhi (Bhārat)

Description

Description from museum website:
The drawing depicts an enthroned ruler at the top center of the image under an awning. He wears a turban with ornaments that signify his royal status and has a large, black shield (dhal) in front of him. Behind him are three attendants, one of which holds a flywhisk over his shoulder, which also denotes the ruler’s status. At the center of the image is a young Nautch girl. Nautch (“dance”, “dancing”) is one of the several styles of popular dancing in North Indian performed by young women. She is accompanied by a group of male musicians [probably playing sarangi and a small percussion instrument]. Flanking them is a row of courtiers.

Iconclass

44B152
royal household; courtiers, retinue, train

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

Sarangi [3204]
Percussion instruments [2370]

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

RIdIM record id

5707