LUCKNOW, INDIA, CIRCA 1830-40

This painting of a courtesan in an interior is typical of Lucknow style and subject matter of the second quarter of the 19^th century. Her garments are elegant and she wears rich jewellery. She stands in an graceful pose and looks directly and confidently at the viewer with large eyes. The boldly striped dhurries, gold vessels in the foreground, hanging lamps and red and blue awnings add to the sense of relative affluence. For illustrations and discussions of related figures see Patnaik 1985, pp.73-6; Losty 2010, cats.71-2, 74, pp.160-2, 202-03.