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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2009.202.124
Title
Preparatory Drawing of an Elephant Combat
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
c. 1740
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Kota
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/217616

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink and opaque watercolor on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School
Dimensions
17 x 15 cm (6 11/16 x 5 7/8 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum.

Notes:
Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch
Accession Year
2009
Object Number
2009.202.124
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
At the center of the page are two large elephants on their back legs and colliding with each other. Lines of red and black demonstrate the artist working, reworking, and detailing the figures. The traces of opaque white watercolor around the bottom edges of the elephant on the right show the artist masking his changes to the figure. The immense impact of the elephants is signified through the sketched-out elephant drivers (mahouts), who lean back with their arms in the air. Each elephant driver carries an elephant goad (ankus) in his hand, which is used to control and manipulate the animal’s movement. There is an attendant holding onto the back of the elephant on the right. In the bottom left corner is a sketched-out platform with a group of figures. These figures, which are roughly sketched, bear suggestions of wearing turbans and carrying shields. Rajput Style, Kota School.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu