A SIKH COURT GATHERING SCENE
Possibly Guler artist in Kangra, Pahari Hills, Northern India, 19th century

A SIKH COURT GATHERING SCENE
Possibly Guler artist in Kangra, Pahari Hills, Northern India, 19th century

Opaque pigments heightened with gold on wove paper, the horizontal composition depicting a courtly gathering under a bright orange canopy in a white marble palatial interior, in the foreground seven Sikh characters mostly clad in white with the exception of some brightly coloured turbans, shawls, and pantaloons, the central pair shown in conversation, the right character ready to offer to the latter a white cloth, white being the colour of purity of the physical body and consciousness in Sikhism, behind them to the right two more standing sardars, the first holding a similar white cloth, to the left two attendants, the first holding a large fly-whisk, the scene set within typical Kangra school borders with white and gold flower scrolls against a dark blue background, red rules and pink borders, mounted, glazed and framed, 37cm x 26.3cm excluding the frame.

At the end of the 18th century and throughout the 19th century, Guler and Kangra were two of the most prominent schools of Pahari paintings, and to this day their productions are very sought-after and collected all around the world. Guler was administered by Sikh rulers from 1813 until 1849 when, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, it officially became part of the British district of Kangra. It was specifically during this period that accomplished Guler artists were commissioned by wealthy Sikh patrons to paint in a special Sikh style, developed further in Adinangar, Lahore and Amritsar's later productions. The paintings of this period feature a variety of scenes usually with Sikh subjects and content, characterised by the use of bright, bold colours, and specific attention to the faithful rendering of Sikh fashion. For further reference, please see W. G. Archer, Paintings of the Sikhs, 1966 and W. G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, 1973, Vol. 1, pp. 129 - 133.

(Quantity:1)

Dimensions: 37cm x 26.3cm excluding the frame