#bhavanidas

[harvardfineartslib]

Happy summer night!

Top image shows the beautiful summer night sky, and the second image shows the crowds who gathered to enjoy a beautiful summer night. Their bodies are outlined with gold to show the reflected lights from the moon and fireworks. These images are details from an Indian artist, Bhavanidas’ painting entitled “By the light of the moon and the fireworks.”

By the light of the moon and fireworks Bhavanidas, Indian painter (artist), 1700-1748 [artist] c. 1740 Kishangarh, Rājasthān, India Opaque watercolor and gold on paper 21.8 centimeters; 15.6 centimeters

[themuseumwithoutwalls]

MWW Artwork of the Day (2/1/20) Bhavanidas (Indian, active c. 1700–1748) The Emperor Aurangzeb Carried on a Palanquin (c. 1705–20) Opaque watercolor & gold on paper, 58.1 x 38.4 cm. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Louis V. Bell Fund)

This elaborate hunting scene depicting the emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707) and his hunting party is among the last imperial subjects of such grandeur created at the close of the age of the great Mughals. The artist is the master Bhavanidas, who spent his early career at the Mughal court and moved to the Rajput court of Kishangarh in 1719.  The inscription in black ink identifies the subject and the artist; there is also a hidden signature in pale gold against the green middle ground.

[unmattata]

The Stallion Kitab (1735), by the Rajasthani court artist Bhavanidas. Transparent and opaque watercolour and gold on paper.

It’s quite clear that this royal stallion is the star of the painting. He’s been conjured up with rich, solid colours while his grooms are sketched in thinner, transparent paint. Stallions were very expensive and owning a beautiful specimen was a point of pride for rulers. Such a possession indicated their refined taste, wealth, and their prowess as military leaders.

- Philadelphia Museum of Art

[the-met-art]

The Emperor Aurangzeb Carried on a Palanquin by Bhavanidas via Islamic Art

Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Louis V. Bell Fund, 2003 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/454619