Devil's Trumpet / Datura Fastuosa

late 18th century

Not on view

The Datura, also known as the "Devil’s Trumpet" flower has a stunning purple-white appearance, but is also highly toxic and causes delirium and hallucinations when ingested. The unknown artist of this work has meticulously rendered the details of this plant, and has also included at left a scientific cross section of the flower in the style of European botanicals. This style had become popular among the so-called Company School painters commissioned by the British East India Company who patronized Indian artists in the 18th–19th centuries. This work comes from a group of natural studies associated with the Sibpur Botanical Gardens where William Roxburgh became superintendent in 1793.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Devil's Trumpet / Datura Fastuosa
Date: late 18th century
Geography: Made in India
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: H. 20 in. (50.8 cm)
W. 13 in. (33 cm)
Classification: Codices
Credit Line: Louis E. and Theresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art, 2017
Object Number: 2017.362
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — "Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50

"Rosette Bearing the Names and Titles of Shah Jahan", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — "Rosette Bearing the Names and Titles of Shah Jahan", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
recto: ca. 1645; verso: ca. 1630–40

The House of Bijapur, Kamal Muhammad, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper — The House of Bijapur
Kamal Muhammad
Chand Muhammad
ca. 1680

Botanical Study of Indian Mulberry (Morinda citrifolia), Opaque watercolor on paper — Botanical Study of Indian Mulberry (Morinda citrifolia)
late 18th century

Futuh al-Haramayn (Description of the Holy Cities), Muhi al-Din Lari Iranian or Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper — Futuh al-Haramayn (Description of the Holy Cities)
Muhi al-Din Lari
dated 1089 AH/1678 CE

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.