Artwork
Watercarrier in the Feast of Mohurrum

Watercarrier in the Feast of Mohurrum is a paint painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting depicts a watercarrier participating in the Feast of Mohurrum, distinguished by vibrant colors and symbolic elements.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a watercarrier participating in the Feast of Mohurrum, distinguished by vibrant colors and symbolic elements. The scene contrasts the watercarrier's festive attire with everyday activities, highlighting the occasion's significance.
Subject & Meaning
The watercarrier, barefoot and adorned in a striped skirt and hat, carries a blue Mohurrum flag and offers water from a pole-mounted bucket to a nearby figure, emphasizing communal celebration and provision. The woman's observant stance underscores social interaction within the festival context.
Technique & Style
Executed in bright, contrasting colors (notably green, red, and blue), the work features a serene background of a river, palm trees, and huts, juxtaposing the watercarrier's dynamic pose with a calm environment.
History & Provenance
One of 35 drawings in a series documenting various occupations, this painting is part of a collection highlighting Indian trades and festivals, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Context
The Feast of Mohurrum, a significant festival, is the backdrop for this scene, with the watercarrier's flag and attire signifying religious and cultural observance rather than daily routine.
Legacy
As part of a broader series on Indian occupations and festivals, this work contributes to a visual archive of 19th-century Indian life, accessible through the Victoria and Albert Museum's holdings.
Artist & collection








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