Who painted Fancy Group, Indore I?

Fancy Group, Indore I was painted by Raja Deen Dayal in 1886.

Where can I see Fancy Group, Indore I?

Fancy Group, Indore I is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Fancy Group, Indore I?

Fancy Group, Indore I is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Fancy Group, Indore I

Raja Deen Dayal , 1886

Fancy Group, Indore I is a photography by the Impressionist artist Raja Deen Dayal. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2016.266.34
Credit line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

About this work

You can learn more about this style of photography by looking at the work of artist Raja Deen Dayal (Indian, 1844–1905).

This painting shows a group of people dressed up in costumes. They are posing in different roles, like a fishwife and a gentleman. The people in the photo are from different social classes, but they're all playing characters.

The woman holding a bucket is likely playing a fishwife. She's labeled as "Emma Brown of Margate", a character from a popular novel or play. This kind of costume party was a common entertainment.

You can learn more about this style of photography by looking at the work of artist Raja Deen Dayal (Indian, 1844–1905).

Overview

Fancy Group, Indore I is a photograph by Raja Deen Dayal, capturing a staged scene with costumed figures.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a group of middle and upper-class individuals posing as characters from various social classes, likely drawn from a popular novel or play. The characters range from working-class figures, such as a fishwife labeled 'Emma Brown of Margate', to gentlemen and ladies.

Technique & Style

The photograph was likely taken on a separate occasion from the costume party, due to the need for strong daylight required by the photographic technology of the time. Deen Dayal's work exemplifies a style of photography that stages elaborate scenes.

Context

Costume parties with amateur theatricals or tableaux vivants were a common form of entertainment, drawing inspiration from literature, history, or artworks.