Three Noblemen in Procession on an Elephant

ca. 1790

Not on view

A gaudily painted elephant carries an important nobleman and his attendants who are seated under a howdah. Around them march armies of Indian soldiers, wearing turbans and carrying swords, spears and standards ahead, while the rear is held up by another squad dressed in British army uniform. The identity of the nobleman is unknown as the identifying inscription on the domed canopy has flaked off. However, we can attribute the painting to Venkatchellam, a leading artist based at the Hyderabad court of Nizam ‘Ali Khan in the eighteenth century. A confident colorist, he relieves the formality by introducing lively villagers below who celebrate the parade.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Three Noblemen in Procession on an Elephant
Artist: Painting by Venkatchellum (Indian, active 1780s–90s)
Date: ca. 1790
Geography: Attributed to India, Hyderabad
Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions: Page: H. 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm)
W. 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm)
Mat (standard size c): H. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
W. 28 in. (71.1 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts and Shamina Talyarkhan Gift, 2008
Object Number: 2008.561
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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