A weaver
1770
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1770
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
A weaver is a 1770 paint by Unknown, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a weaver, a man with the tools of his trade. He's sitting with his wife, who also has items related to weaving. The scene is simple, with the couple in a quiet moment. The painting is one of many depicting different occupations in South India. It's interesting because it gives a glimpse into the daily life of people in that region. To learn more about how artists used lighting to create depth in scenes like this, look at the technique: chiaroscuro.
A man and woman, identified as weavers, are depicted seated at a loom, the man wearing a white *dhoti* and cap, set against a blue background. The painting is part of a series of thirty-six works illustrating castes and occupations in South India, characterized by a red border, tangled cloud motifs at the top, and heavy shadows beneath the figures. The series includes variations in background color and artistic execution, with this example featuring a blue backdrop. The work is mounted in an album bearing a watermark from 1799 and a bookplate associated with Joseph Whatley.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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