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Woman and a Painter
Attributed to: Son of Manaku
Indian, Pahari
about 1790–1800
Object Place: Style of Kangra, Punjab Hills, India
Medium/Technique
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
Overall: 17.7 x 14.7 cm (6 15/16 x 5 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy
Accession Number22.675
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings
InscriptionsOn separate piece of paper, possibly once the backing or cover of the painting, in Devnagri:
From evening to morning, and morning to evening,
the days are passing and months go by.
What do you know of the woes of others?
None but the wise understands!
I gave you freely clean paper,
fresh and shining like glass
Oh, painter! how many days have passed,
and you have not drawn the picture of my friend!
(The painter answers):
I shall so prepare the portrait of yourself and your friend that instantly in the picture the divided lovers shall meet.
(Translation by Coomaraswamy)
On reverse: "Rs.10"
From evening to morning, and morning to evening,
the days are passing and months go by.
What do you know of the woes of others?
None but the wise understands!
I gave you freely clean paper,
fresh and shining like glass
Oh, painter! how many days have passed,
and you have not drawn the picture of my friend!
(The painter answers):
I shall so prepare the portrait of yourself and your friend that instantly in the picture the divided lovers shall meet.
(Translation by Coomaraswamy)
On reverse: "Rs.10"
ProvenanceProbably acquired in India by Ananda Coomaraswamy (b. 1877 - d. 1947), Needham, MA; 1922, gift of Ananda Coomaraswamy to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 19, 1922)