Your Collection

Add this item to your collection
Harvard Art Museums
Incorrect Username, Email, or Password
This object does not yet have a description.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2009.202.126
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Preparatory Drawing of a Chained Elephant Drinking Water
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
18th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Kota
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/217617

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School
Dimensions
13.2 x 25 cm (5 3/16 x 9 13/16 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
2009.202.126
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.

Descriptions

Description
The large elephant is composed of red and black lines that demonstrate the various stages of the drawing process, from initial sketches to more detailed inclusions. The elephant wears a cloth-saddle that is attached to a large harness which wraps around the elephant, behind its front legs. A bell, faintly drawn in red, hangs from the harness. The elephant also wears a collar, which the driver (mahout) would tuck his feet under to balance. The animal’s long trunk reaches into a tall container of water. All four of its legs are chained. On the left side is a sketch of a male figure, down to his torso. 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