One of eleven paintings of occupations
1870
gouache
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1870
gouache
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
One of eleven paintings of occupations is a 1870 gouache by Unknown, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows people doing different jobs. It's one of eleven paintings of occupations, which is interesting because it gives us a glimpse into daily life. The fact that these paintings were made on mica, a naturally occurring mineral, made them unique and desirable to the British. You can learn more about this type of artwork by looking into the technique: gouache.
Paintings on mica featuring various occupations were produced in southern and eastern India around 1870 and were favored by the British. The mineral-based medium made these works distinctive, leading to their export in large quantities to England. These artworks were typically arranged in thematic sets, with occupations being one of the common subjects alongside deities, wildlife, architecture, and regional festivals.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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