Self-Portrait of a Painter at Work

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more

Currently not on view

Self-Portrait of a Painter at Work

c. 1750

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

In this self-portrait, a painter depicts himself in a peaceful garden, at work on an image of a large flowering plant adhered to a board that he holds on his lap. On the ground beside him are his tools: oblong clamshells filled with paint, an ornamental box for his hollow-reed pens and squirrel-tail hair brushes, and knives used for a variety of tasks from trimming paper to sharpening pens. The paints used in Indian paintings were composed of pigments ground into a powder and mixed with a binder, usually gum arabic. Pigments came from organic sources, such as plants and insects, as well as from minerals and metals.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Self-Portrait of a Painter at Work

Date:

c. 1750

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 5 5/8 × 3 5/8 inches (14.3 × 9.2 cm) Sheet: 7 1/4 × 3 5/8 inches (18.4 × 9.2 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Bequest of William P. Wood, 1996

Accession Number:

1996-120-17

Geography:

Made in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Marwar Region, India, Asia

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view

More like this:

1/12